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GOWANS 


BLBLIOTIIECA  AMERICANA. 


"  I  have  gathered  a  nosegay  of  flowers,  and  there  is  nothing  of  my  own  but 
the  string  that  ties  them."  Montaigne. 

■  To  rescue  from  oblivion  the  memory  of  former  transactions,  and  to  render 
a  just  tribute  of  renown  to  the  many  great  and  wonderful  productions,  both 
European  and  American,  William  Gowans,  of  New  York,  republishes  the  fol- 
lowing Historical,  Biographical,  Literary,  and  Antiquarian  Researches." 


1 


ALTERED  FROM  HERODOTUS. 


NEW  YORK: 
WILLIAM  GOWANS. 


A 

BRIEF  DESCRIPTION 


OF 

NEW  YORK, 

FORMERLY  CALLED 

NEW  NETHERLANDS 


WITH  THE  PLACES  THEREINTO  ADJOINING. 


LIKEWISE 

A  BRIEF  RELATION 

OF  THE  CUSTOMS  OF  THE  INDIANS  THERE 

BY  DANIEL  DENTON. 

A    NEW    EDITION    WITH   AN   INTRODUCTION  AND   COriOUS   HISTORICAL  NOTES. 

BY  GABRIEL  FUR  MAN, 

MEMBER  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY- 

Of  ail  the  land*  that  heav*n  o'ertpread*  vith  light  I 

there'*  none,  ah!  none  to  lovely  to  my  tight. 

In  wavy  gold  thy  eummer  vale*  are  drett  d 

Thy  autumns  bend  with  copious  fruit  oppressed  . 

With  flock*  and  herd*  each  grotty  plain  i*  stored; 

And  fish  of  every  Jin,  thy  tea*  afiord: 

Wood*  crown  thy  mountaint,  and  in  every  grovt 

The  bounding  goat*  and  f  risking  hstfers  roc*  : 

Soft  rain*  and  kindly  dew*  refreeh  the  field 

And  rising  tpring*  eternal  verdure  yield.— Homer. 

And  to  be  short,  all  they  that  have  been  there  with  one  content  affirme,  that  there  are  the  goodliest  greens 
meadow*  and  plaines,  the  faireit  mountaint  covered  with  all  turn  of  tree*  and  fruues,  the  fairest  vallies,  the  good- 
liest pleasant  fresh  rivers,  stored  with  infinite  kind  of  fishes,  the  thickest  woods,  greene  and  bearing  fruite  all 
the  whole  yeere.  that  are  in  all  the  world.  And  a*  for  gold,  silver  ami  other  kind  of  metals,  all  kind  of  spices 
and  delectable  fruues,  both  for  delicacie  and  health  are  there  in  *uch  abundance,  a*  hitherto  they  have  beena 
thought  to  have  been  bred  nowhere  else  but  there.  And  in  conclusion  it  is  nowe  thought  that  no  where  else 
but  under  the  equinoctial),  or  not  far  from  thence,  is  the  earthly  paradise,  and  the  only  place  of  perfection  in 
this  world  M  m  Richard  Hakluyt. 


NEW  YORK: 
WILLIAM    G  O  W  A  N  S. 

1845. 


1 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1845,  by 
W.  COWANS, 
In  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


100  Copies  printed  on  large  paper  Quarto. 
4  Copies  printed  on  extra  large  paper  Folio 


UM.VAS  NOR  DEN,  PRINTER,  3'J  WILM1M  STREET. 


DEDICATED 

TO 

THE  MEMORY 

or 

WASHINGTON. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


The  subscriber  announces  to  the  public,  that  he  intends  publish- 
ing a  series  of  works,  relating  to  the  history,  literature,  biography, 
antiquities  and  curiosities  of  the  Continent  of  America.  To  be 
entitled 

GOWANS'  BIBLIOTHECA  AMERICANA. 

The  books  to  form  this  collection,  will  chiefly  consist  of  reprints 
from  old  and  scarce  works,  difficult  to  be  procured  in  this  country, 
and  often  also  of  very  rare  occurrence  in  Europe :  occasion- 
ally an  original  work  will  be  introduced  into  the  series,  designed 
to  throw  light  upon  some  obscure  point  of  American  history,  or  to 
elucidate  the  biography  of  some  of  the  distinguished  men  of  our 
land.  Faithful  reprints  of  every  work  published  will  be  given  to 
the  public:  nothing  will  be  added,  except  in  the  way  of  notes, 
or  introduction,  which  will  be  presented  entirely  distinct  from  the 
body  of  the  work.  They  will  be  brought  out  in  the  best  style, 
both  as  to  the  type,  press  work,  and  paper,  and  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  make  them  well  worthy  a  place  in  any  gentleman's  library. 

A  part  will  appear  about  once  in  every  six  months,  or  oftener, 
if  the  public  taste  demand  it ;  each  part  forming  an  entire  work, 
either  an  original  production,  or  a  reprint  of  some  valuable,  and 
at  the  same  time  scarce  tract.  From  eight  to  twelve  parts  will 
form  a  handsome  octavo  volume,  which  the  publisher  is  well 
assured,  will  be  esteemed  entitled  to  a  high  rank  in  every  collection 
of  American  history  and  literature. 

Should  reasonable  encouragement  be  given,  the  whole  collection 
may  in  the  course  of  no  long  period  of  time  become  not  less 
voluminous,  and  quite  as  valuable  to  the  student  in  American  his- 
tory, as  the  celebrated  Harleian  Miscellany  is  now  to  the  student 
and  lover  of  British  historical  antiquities. 


W.  GOWANS,  Publisher. 


INTRODUCTION. 


This  work  is  one  of  the  gems  of  American  history,  being 
the  first  printed  description,  in  the  English  language,  of  the 
country  now  forming  the  wealthy  and  populous  State  of  New 
York,  and  also  the  State  of  New  Jersey;  both  being  under 
one  government  at  that  time.  And  so  great  is  its  rarity,  that 
until  the  importation  of  the  volume  from  which  this  small 
edition  is  printed,  but  two  copies  were  known  to  exist  in 
the  United  States,  one  in  the  State  Library,  at  Albany,  and 
the  other  in  the  collection  of  Harvard  University.  The 
only  sale  catalogues  in  which  this  work  has  appeared,  are 
those  of  Nassau,  Warden,  and  Rich ;  and  as  these  three 
catalogues  are  of  different  dates,  the  notices  of  Denton 
occurring  in  them,  may  all  refer  to  the  same  copy,  or  at  the 
most,  probably,  to  two  copies.  The  work  is  in  the  library 
of  Mr.  Aspinwall,  American  Consul  in  London,  and  also  in 
that  of  the  British  Museum ; — these  are  the  only  two 
accessible  in  England. 

Mensel  (x.  367,)  gives  "  Denton's  description  of  New 
York.  London,  1701,  4to,"  and  adds, — "Liber  rarrissimus 
videtur,  de  qui  nullibi  quidquam,  procter  hanc  epigraphen 
mancam,  reperire  licet."  The  title  as  given  by  Mensel 
appears  in  Eberling's  compends  of  the  histories  of  New 
York  and  New  Jersey,  with  the  *  prefixed,  indicating  that 
the  author  had  never  himself  seen  the  work. 

Hubbard  and  Neal  in  their  histories  seem  to  have  had 
access  to  it ;  and  the  article  on  New  York,  as  contained  in 
the  America  of  "  John  Ogilby,  Esq.,  his  Majesty's  Cosmo- 
grapher,  Geographic  Printer,  and  Master  of  the  Revels,"  is 

2  • 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


mainly  drawn  from  the  works  of  Montanus  and  Denton, 
without  the  slightest  indication  of  the  sources  of  his 
information, 

The  reader  will  not  fail  to  observe,  how  large  a  portion 
of  the  volume  is  devoted  to  Long  Island,  and  the  city  of 
New  York.  The  reason  for  this,  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact, 
that  at  that  early  period  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  popu- 
lation of  the  Colony  was  located  on  those  two  islands. 
Schenectady  was  then,  and  for  a  considerable  period  sub- 
sequently, the  frontier  town,  and  most  western  settlement 
of  the  white  inhabitants ;  as  its  name  then  most  properly 
indicated,  meaning  the  first  place  seen  after  coming  out  of 
the  woods.  It  was  surrounded  by  a  double  stockade,  form- 
ing a  large  square  fortification,  with  a  blockhouse  at  each 
corner.  The  largest  one,  on  the  northwesterly  corner  of  the 
town,  was  also  used  as  a  church,  the  only  one  then  in  that 
place. 

So  much  exposed  was  Schenectady,  from  its  frontier  posi- 
tion, that  twenty  years  after  the  original  publication  of  this 
work,  in  1G90,  it  was  sacked  and  burnt  by  the  French  and 
Indians,  under  M.  de  Herville  ;  who  entered  it  at  night, 
broke  open  every  dwelling,  and  murdered  all  they  met, 
without  distinction  of  age,  sex  or  condition,  and  during  the 
havoc  set  the  town  in  flames.  The  greater  portion  of  the 
population  fell  beneath  the  tomahawk,  or  were  made  pri- 
soners and  carried  into  Canada.  Some  few  escaped  to 
Albany,  and  the  nearest  villages  of  the  Five  Nations  of 
Indians ;  and  others  perished  miserably  in  the  forest,  the 
ground  being  covered  with  snow,  and  those  who  escaped, 
being  obliged  to  do  so  half  naked  and  bare  foot. 

The  defenceless  state  of  the  country,  from  its  sparse  popu- 
lation, may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  when  the  news 
of  this  horrible  massacre  reached  Albany  the  next  day,  the 
inhabitants  of  that  city  were  many  of  them  so  greatly 
alarmed,  that  they  resolved  to  seek  refuge  in  New  York. 
And  probably  they  would  have  done  so  but  for  the  Mohawk 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


11 


Indians,  who  then  lived  between  Albany  and  Cattskill,  and 
also  west  of  that  city,  who  persuaded  them  to  remain. 
These  Indians  not  only  afforded  their  advice  in  this  emer- 
gency, but  they  also  sent  information  to  their  Onondaga 
confederates,  who  despatched  a  body  of  their  warriors  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  overtook  them,  and  killed  twenty-five 
of  their  number. 

Between  Schenectady  and  Albany  there  were  no  settle- 
ments, all  was  in  a  wild  forest  state.  Albany  itself  was  a 
fortification,  surrounded  by  a  line  of  stockade,  with  seven 
blockhouses  and  bastions.  On  the  hill  where  now  stands 
the  capitol,  was  a  large  stone  fort  overlooking  the  city  and 
the  surrounding  country;  on  which  were  mounted  twenty- 
one  heavy  cannon  ;  and  in  it  was  the  residence  of  the  Gover- 
nor of  the  city,  with  officers'  lodgings,  and  soldiers'  barracks. 
This  fort  was  so  extensive,  that  about  this  period  there  were 
two  large  gardens  constructed  in  the  ditch,  south  and  west 
of  the  city. 

Albany  had  then  its  centre  at  State  street,  with  one  street, 
(Beaver  street,)  south  of  it,  and  another  street  north.  Mar- 
ket street,  then  called  Handler's  street,  Green  street  and 
Pearl  street,  crossing  State  street,  composed  the  whole  city. 
The  "  Colonie,"  as  it  was  then,  and  is  by  many  still  called, 
was  a  small  settlement  immediately  north  of  Albany,  and 
in  continuation  of  Handler's  street.  The  city  had  at  that 
time  but  two  churches ;  the  Dutch  Calvinist,  standing  in 
State  street  at  its  junction  with  Handler's  street,  (the  foun- 
dation of  this  ancient  church  was  uncovered  about  two 
years  since,  in  making  some  repairs  in  the  street ;)  and  the 
Dutch  Lutheran  Church  in  Pearl,  near  Beaver  street. 

The  country  at  that  early  period  was  but  little  better 
settled  between  Albany  and  New  York,  on  the  Hudson 
river.  The  only  town  of  any  note  then,  was  Kingston,  or 
Esopus ;  and  that  also  was  fortified  with  blockhouses  and 
stockades ;  and  a  portion  of  it  specially  strengthened  as  a 
citadel,  within  which  was  the  only  church  in  that  region. 

u 


12 


INTRODUCTION. 


This  place  also,  strange  as  it  may  now  seem  to  us,  was 
so  far  frontier  in  its  character,  as  to  be  regarded  far  from 
being  secure  from  attack.  Only  twenty-seven  years  before 
the  destruction  of  Schenectady,  Kingston  was  also  burnt 
by  the  Indians,  and  many  of  its  inhabitants  killed  and  taken 
prisoners.  This  event  occurred  on  the  7th  of  June,  1GG3, 
only  seven  years  previous  to  the  first  publication  of  this 
work.  Governor  Stuyvesant  communicated  this  destruc- 
tion of  Kingston  to  the  churches  in  New  York,  and  on  Long 
Island,  and  recommended  to  them,  "  To  observe  and  keep 
the  ensuing  Wednesday  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation, 
and  prayer  to  the  Almighty,  hoping  that  he  may  avert  fur- 
ther calamity  from  the  New  Netherlands,  and  extend  his 
fatherly  protection  and  care  to  the  country."  The  Governor 
a  few  days  after,  directed  that  Wednesday,  the  4th  day  of 
July,  1GG3,  should  be  observed  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  on 
account  of  a  treaty  of  peace  having  been  made  with  the 
Indians  who  sacked  Kingston,  and  for  the  release  of  the 
inhabitants  who  had  been  taken  prisoners. 

The  foregoing  circumstances  will  show  the  reason  why, 
in  a  description  of  the  Colony  of  New  York  as  it  existed  in 
1670,  so  large  a  space  should  have  been  appropriated  to 
Long  Island  and  the  city  of  New  York  ;  they  in  reality 
then  constituted  the  force  and  efficiency  of  the  Colony. 
The  other  places  were  regarded  as  mere  appendages, 
necessary  to  be  sustained  for  the  purposes  of  their  fur 
trade  with  the  Indians  ;  and  as  fortified  outposts  to  keep 
the  savages  from  the  cultivated  and  thickly  settled  por- 
tions of  the  country. 

The  character  of  this  work  for  accuracy  in  describing 
the  manners  and  customs  of  the  Colonists,  and  also  of  the 
Aborigines,  is  admitted  by  all ;  and  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Long  Island,  we  had  very  recently  the  opportunity  of  test- 
ing the  truth  of  some  of  its  statements  made  in  1G70. 

Denton  speaks  particularly  of  the  fishery  on  Long  Island 
for  whales,  and  for  fish  generally.    This  whale  fishery  is 

13 


INTRODUCTION. 


still  continued  on  the  Island,  and  whales  were  taken  off 
Southampton  as  late  as  181-2.  "When  the  writer  of  this 
notice  travelled  through  Long  Island,  on  the  south  side,  from 
Brooklyn  to  Montauk  point,  during  the  month  of  August, 
about  fourteen  years  since,  he  remained  several  days  at 
Saggharbor.  During  his  stay  at  that  place,  on  a  beautiful 
summer  afternoon,  he  crossed  the  Island  to  the  south  beach, 
near  Amagansett.  Along  this  beach,  which  stretched  in 
view  for  many  miles,  was  a  line  of  white  sand  hillocks 
crowned  with  scrubby  bushes ;  and  occasionally,  at  long 
intervals,  small  thatched  huts,  or  wigwams,  with  a  long 
pole  rising  from  the  tops,  were  to  be  seen  on  the  highest  of 
these  sand  elevations.  These  huts  were  occupied  at  cer- 
tain seasons  by  men  on  the  watch  for  whales ;  and  when 
they  discovered  them  spouting  or  playing  on  the  ocean,  a 
signal  was  hoisted  on  the  pole,  and  directly  the  inhabitants 
came  down  with  their  whaling  boats  on  wheels,  launched 
them  from  the  beach,  and  were  off  in  pursuit  of  the  prize. 
Near  the  houses  these  whaling  boats  were  to  be  seen  turned 
upside  down,  lying  upon  a  frame  under  some  trees,  to  shade 
them  from  the  sun.  Throughout  the  whole  eastern  part  of 
the  Island  three  or  four  families  clubbed  together  and 
owned  such  a  boat ;  they  were  easily  transported  to  the 
beach  on  the  wheels  of  a  wagon,  drawn  by  two  horses  or 
oxen  ;  and  as  they  have  no  harbors  on  that  portion  of  the 
south  side,  it  was  the  only  way  they  could  safely  keep 
them,  for  they  would  be  dashed  in  pieces  by  the  surf  if  left 
upon  the  open  shore,  or  even  if  kept  covered  on  the  beach  ; 
the  storms  sometimes  being  so  heavy  as  to  throw  the  surf 
over  the  sand  hills,  and  even  to  beat  them  down. 

This  journey  was  then  one  of  the  most  interesting  tours  in 
the  State,  both  for  variety  of  scenery  and  incident.  The 
whole  south  side  of  the  Island  is  replete  with  legends  and 
stories  of  pirates,  shipwrecks,  and  strange  out  of  the  way 
matters.  The  only  mode  of  conveyance  at  that  late  period 
through  the  Island,  was  by  the  mail  stage,  which  made  one 

13 


14 


INTRODUCTION. 


trip  a  week,  and  was  two  days  in  going  from  Brooklyn  to 
Saggharbor.  The  writer  performed  this  journey  in  company 
with  a  friend,  and  believes  they  walked  about  one  quarter  of 
the  distance,  frequently  getting  far  a  head  of  the  stage  whilst 
it  stopped  at  some  country  post  office,  or  to  throw  out  two 
or  three  newspapers  to  be  carried  over  the  fields  to  some 
small  village  which  lay  a  mile  or  two  off  the  post  route. 
One  of  these  primitive  post  offices  was  a  small  box  on  an 
old  tree  in  the  forest,  at  the  intersection  of  two  roads  ;  not  a 
soul  was  near  it,  yet  the  packages  left  to  be  delivered,  or 
placed  there  to  be  taken  further  on,  always  found  their 
destination  without  accident.  These  walks  were  enlivened 
by  tales  and  reminiscences,  of  which  the  people  met  along 
the  route  were  full,  and  pleased  with  the  opportunity  of 
telling  to  those  who  were  willing  to  lend  a  listening  car. 

This  jaunt  will  always  be  looked  back  upon  with  satis- 
faction, but  with  regret  that  it  can  never  be  taken  again 
under  the  same  circumstances.  The  old  mail  route  is  broken 
up  ; — and  now  by  means  of  the  rail  road,  and  other  facili- 
ties, we  rather  fly  than  stroll  through  the  delightful  scenery 
of  this  beautiful  region.  It  was  then  something  of  an  under- 
taking to  get  to  Montauk  Point ;  now  we  will  meet  with  a 
hundred  tourists  for  pleasure  where  we  then  would  see  one. 
Then  there  were  but  few  taverns  throughout  the  whole  dis- 
tance, and  in  some  places  none.  The  inhabitants  were 
delighted  to  see  strangers. — were  primitive  in  their  man- 
ners and  customs,  so  much  so,  that  it  was  a  great  plea- 
sure to  visit  them.  Now  there  are  taverns  everywhere, 
and  in  the  summer  they  are  filled  with  visiters.  The 
people  have  ceased  to  offer  their  hospitalities,  except  to 
those  with  whom  they  are  personally  acquainted,  otherwise 
from  the  great  influx  of  strangers  they  might  be  imposed 
upon.  In  place  of  the  kind  open-hearted  reception  then  to  be 
met  with  from  all  classes  and  both  sexes,  you  will  at  present 
discover  little,  or  no  difference  between  their  manners  and 
those  of  the  inhabitants  of  our  larger  towns :  and  in  order 

H 


INTRODUCTION. 


15 


now  to  have  any  intercourse  with  either  sex,  and  especially 
with  the  ladies,  a  previous  introduction  is  necessary,  and 
even  after  that,  in  place  of  the  frolicksome,  kind-humored 
attentions  then  received,  all  is  tinctured  with  distance  and 
reserve.  This  change  may  have  been  inevitable,  and  in 
truth  absolutely  necessary,  by  reason  of  their  change  of 
circumstances,  and  situation  with  reference  to  the  travelling 
world,  yet  it  is  nevertheless  much  to  be  regretted. 

Several  pages  are  devoted  to  an  account  of  the  Indian 
tribes  which  lived  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  New  York, 
and  of  their  customs.  To  us,  who  have  never  thought  of 
an  Indian  but  as  being  hundreds  of  miles  distant,  it  may 
seem  strange  that  in  connection  with  the  city  of  New  York 
so  much  should  be  said  about  these  savage  nations.  But 
New  York  was  then  the  great  mart  of  the  Indian  fur  trade. 
What  St.  Louis  on  the  Mississippi  now  is,  New  York  city 
then  was.  And  the  main  supply  of  provisions  in  the  market 
of  our  city  was  at  that  period  derived  from  the  Aborigines  ; 
who  furnished  it  "  with  Yenison  and  Fowl  in  the  Winter, 
and  Fish  in  the  Summer." 

And  what  adds  peculiarly  to  the  value  of  this  work,  is 
that  it  gives  us  a  more  full  and  correct  account  of  the  cus- 
toms and  habits  of  these  Indian  tribes  which  have  been  for 
very  many  years  utterly  extinct,  than  is  to  be  found  in  any 
other  publication. 

Daniel  Denton,  the  author  of  this  work,  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  the  town  of  Jamaica,  in  Queens  County  on  Long 
Island,  and  was  a  magistrate  in  that  town.  He  was  the  eldest 
son  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Denton,  the  first  minister  of  Hemp- 
stead, on  this  Island,  and  came  with  his  father  from  Stamford 
in  the  year  1644  ;  he  seems  to  have  been  a  considerable  land- 
holder in  the  country  he  describes,  and  directly  after  the 
taking  of  New  York  from  the  Dutch  by  Nicolls,  and  in  the 
same  year  1664,  we  find  him  still  a  resident  of  Jamaica,  and 
engaged  in  the  purchase  of  a  large  tract  of  land  from  the 
Indians  in  New  Jersey.    Smith  in  his  history  of  New  Jersey, 

15 


INTRODUCTION. 


(which  is  also  a  very  rare  item  in  the  Bibliotheca  Americana, 
states,  that,  "  it  was  in  16G4  that  John  Bailey,  Daniel 
Denton,  and  Luke  Watson,  of  Jamaica,  on  Long  Island, 
purchased  of  certain  Indian  Chiefs,  inhabitants  of  Staten 
Island,  a  tract  or  tracts  of  land,  on  part  of  which  the  town 
of  Elizabeth  now  stands." — (Smith's  history  of  New  Jersey, 
8vo.  Burlington,  N.  J.  1765,  page  G2.) 

Denton  it  appears  soon  after  sold  his  share  in  the  purchase 
to  Capt.  John  Baker  of  New  York,  and  John  Ogden  of 
Northampton,  and  it  is  believed  went  to  England,  some 
three  or  four  years  after.  In  the  month  of  March,  1665, 
he,  together  with  Thomas  Benedict,  represented  Jamaica 
in  the  General  Assembly  of  Deputies  held  at  Hempstead, 
in  pursuance  of  the  requisition  of  Governor  Nicolls,  and 
by  which  assembly  was  formed  the  first  code  of  laws 
for  the  English  Colony  of  New  York,  known  as  the  "  Duke's 
Laws."  At  the  same  Assembly  the  Deputies  adopted  an 
Address  to  his  Royal  Highness,  James,  Duke  of  York ;  in 
which  among  other  things  it  is  stated, — "  We  do  publickly 
and  unanimously  declare  our  cheerful  submission  to  all  such 
laws,  statutes,  and  ordinances,  which  are  or  shall  be  made 
by  virtue  of  authority  from  your  royal  highness,  your  heirs 
and  successors  forever." 

The  people  of  Long  Island  considered  the  language  of 
this  address  too  servile  for  freemen  :  and  were  exasperated 
against  the  makers  of  it  to  such  a  degree,  that  the  Court  of 
Assizes,  in  order  to  save  the  deputies  from  abuse,  if  not  from 
personal  violence,  thought  it  expedient,  at  their  meeting  in 
October  1666,  to  declare,  that,  "whosoever  hereafter  shall 
any  wayes  detract  or  speake  against  any  of  the  deputies 
signing  the  address  to  his  Royal  highness,  at  the  general 
meeting  at  Hempstead,  they  shall  bee  presented  to  the  next 
Court  of  Sessions,  and  if  the  justices  shall  sec  cause,  they 
shall  from  thence  bee  bound  over  to  the  Assizes,  there  to 
answer  for  the  slander  upon  plaint  or  information." 

The  deputies  subsequently  to  the  address  made  to  the 

16 


INTRODUCTION. 


17 


Duke  of  York,  made  one  to  the  people,  bearing  date  the 
21st  June,  1GG7  ;  in  which  they  set  forth  their  reasons  for 
agreeing  to  the  code  styled  the  "  Duke's  Laws,"  and  also  in 
explanation  of  their  address  to  his  Royal  Highness — in 
which  they  state.  "  Some  malicious  men  have  aspersed  us 
as  betrayers  to  their  liberties  and  privileges,  in  subscribing 
to  an  address  to  his  Royal  Highness,  full  of  duty  and  grati- 
tude, whereby  his  Royal  Highness  may  be  encouraged  the 
more  to  take  us  and  the  welfare  of  our  posterity  into  his 
most  princely  care  and  consideration." 

"  Neither  can  any  clause  in  that  address  bear  any  other 
natural  sense  and  construction  than  our  obedience  and  sub- 
mission to  his  Majesty's  letters  patent,  according  to  our 
duty  and  allegiance." 

"  However,  that  our  neighbours  and  fellow  subjects  may 
be  undeceived  of  the  false  aspersions  thrown  upon  upon  us 
and  the  impostures  of  men  disaffected  to  government  mani- 
fested, lest  they  should  further  prevail  upon  the  weakness 
of  others  ;  we  the  then  deputies  and  subscribers  of  the  said 
address,  conceive  ourselves  obliged  to  publish  this  narrative 
and  remonstrance  of  the  several  passages  and  steps  con- 
ducting to  the  present  government  under  which  we  now 
live,  and  we  desire  that  a  record  hereof  may  be  kept  in  each 
town,  that  future  ages  may  not  be  seasoned  with  the  sour 
malice  of  such  unreasonable  and  groundless  aspersions." — 
(Furman's  Notes  on  Brooklyn,  page  107.  Wood's  Long 
Island,  1828,  page  175.) 

This  volume  forms  the  first  of  a  series  of  rare  and  valua- 
ble works  on  American  history,  which  the  publisher  designs 
giving  to  the  public  from  time  to  time,  as  convenience  may 
dictate.  The  selection  will  be  made,  as  in  this  instance, 
from  those  very  rare  early  publications  which  cannot  be 
obtained  either  in  this  country  or  in  Europe,  except  by  very 
few,  and  at  great  cost.  In  doing  this  he  feels  that  he  has  a 
claim  upon  all  the  lovers  of  the  history  of  their  country  for 
assistance  in  his  undertaking. 

3  » 


Brief  Description 

OF 

NEW  YORK: 

Formerly  Called 

New  Netherlands. 

With  the  Places  thereunto  Adjoyning. 

Together  with  the 

Manner  of  its  Scituation,  Fertility  of  the  Soyle, 
Healthfulness  of  the  Climate,  and  the 
Commodities  thence  produced. 

ALSO 

Some  Directions  and  Advice  to  such  as  shall  go 

thither:    An  Account  of  what  Commodities  they  shall 
take  with  them  ;    The  Profit  and  Pleasure  that 
may  accrue  to  them  thereby. 

LIKEWISE 

A  Brief  Relation  of  the  Customs  of  the  Indians 

there. 


BY  DANIEL  DENTON. 


LONDON. 


Printed  for  John  Hancock,  at  the  first  Shop  in  Popes- Head- Alley  in 
Cornhil,  at  the  three  Bibles,  and  William  Bradley  at  the  three  Bibles. 


TO  THE  READER. 


Reader, — I  Have  here  thorough  the  Instigation 
of  divers  Persons  in  England,  and  elsewhere,  pre- 
sented you  with  a  Brief  but  true  Relation  of  a  known 
unknown  part  of  America.  The  known  part  which 
is  either  inhabited,  or  lieth  near  the  Sea,  I  have  de- 
scribed to  you,  and  have  writ  nothing,  but  what  I 
have  been  an  eye  witness  to  all  or  the  greatest  part 
of  it :  Neither  can  I  safely  say,  was  I  willing  to 
exceed,  but  was  rather  willing  the  place  it  self  should 
exceed  my  Commendation,  which  I  question  not  but 
will  be  owned  by  those  that  shall  travel  thither :  For 
the  unknown  part,  which  is  either  some  places  lying 
to  the  Northward  yet  undiscovered  by  any  English, 
or  the  Bowels  of  the  earth  not  yet  opened,  though 
the  Natives  tell  us  of  Glittering  Stones,  Diamonds, 
or  Pearl  in  the  one,  and  the  Dutch  hath  boasted  of 
Gold  and  Silver  in  the  other ;  yet  I  shall  not  feed 
your  expectation  with  any  thing  of  that  nature ;  but 
leave  it  till  a  better  discovery  shall  make  way  for 
such  a  Relation.  In  the  mean  time  accept  of  this 
from  him  who  desireth  to  deal  impartially  with  every 
one. 

DANIEL  DENTON. 

21 


BRIEF  RELATION 

OF 

NEW  YORK, 

WITH  THE  PLACES  THEREUNTO  ADJOYNING. 

FORMERLY  CALLED 

THE  NEW  NETHERLANDS,  &c. 


That  Tract  of  Land  formerly  called  The  New  Neth- 
erlands, doth  Contain  all  that  Land  which  lieth  in  the 
North  parts  of  America,  betwixt  New-England  and 
Mary-land  in  Virginia,  the  length  of  which  Northward 
into  the  Countrey,  as  it  hath  not  been  fully  discover- 
ed, so  it  is  not  certainly  known.  The  bredth  of  it  is 
about  two  hundred  miles :  The  principal  Rivers, 
within  this  Tract,  are  Hudsons  River,  Raritan  River, 
and  Delewerbay  River.  The  chief  Islands  are  the 
Manahatans-Island,  Long  Island  and  Staten  Island. 

And  first  to  begin  with  the  Manahatans  Islands,  (see 
Note  1,)  so  called  by  the  Indians,  it  lieth  within  land 
betwixt  the  degrees  of  41.  and  42.  of  North  latitude, 
and  is  about  14  miles  long,  and  two  broad.  It  is 
bounded  with  Long  Island  on  the  South,  with  Staten 
Island  on  the  West,  on  the  North  with  the  Main  Land  : 
And  with  Conecticut  Colony  on  the  East-side  of  it ; 
only  a  part  of  the  Main  Land  belonging  to  New  York 
Colonv,  where  several  Towns  and  Villages  are  setlcd, 
being  about  thirty  miles  in  bredth,  doth  intercept  the 

23 


2 


denton's  description 


Manahatans  Island,  and  the  Colony  of  Conecticut 
before  mentioned. 

New  York  is  setled  upon  the  West  end  of  the 
aforesaid  Island,  having  that  small  arm  of  the  Sea, 
which  divides  it  from  Long  Island  on  the  South  side  of 
it,  which  runs  away  Eastward  to  New  England  and  is 
Navigable,  though  dangerous.  For  about  ten  miles 
from  New  York  is  a  place  called  Hell-Gate,  (see  Note 
2,)  which  being  a  narrow  passage,  there  runneth  a  vio- 
lent stream  both  upon  flood  and  ebb,  and  in  the  middle 
lieth  some  Islands  of  Rocks,  which  the  Current  sets 
so  violently  upon,  that  it  threatens  present  shipwreck  ; 
and  upon  the  flood  is  a  large  Whirlpool,  which  con- 
tinually sends  forth  a  hideous  roaring,  enough  to 
affright  any  stranger  from  passing  any  further,  and  to 
wait  for  some  Charon  to  conduct  him  through  ;  yet 
to  those  that  arc  well  acquainted  little  or  no  danger  ; 
yet  a  place  of  great  defence  against  any  enemy  com- 
ing in  that  way,  which  a  small  Fortification  would 
absolutely  prevent,  and  necessitate  them  to  come  in 
at  the  West  end  of  Long  Island  by  Sandy  Hook 
where  Xuttcn  (see  Note  3,)  Island  doth  force  them 
within  Command  of  the  Fort  at  New  York,  which  is 
one  of  the  best  Pieces  of  Defence  in  the  North  parts 
of  America. 

New  York  is  built  most  of  Brick  and  Stone,  and 
covered  with  red  and  black  Tile,  and  the  Land  being 
high,  it  gives  at  a  distance  a  pleasing  Aspect  to  the 
spectators,  (see  Note  4.)  The  Inhabitants  consist 
most  of  English  and  Dutch,  and  have  a  considerable 
Trade  with  the  Indians,  for  Bcvers,  Otter,  Raccoon 


84 


OF  NEW  YORK. 


8 


skins,  with  other  Furrs  ;  As  also  for  Bear,  Deer,  and 
Elke  skins  ;  and  arc  supplied  with  Venison  and  Fowl 
in  the  Winter,  and  Fish  in  the  Summer  by  the  In- 
dians, which  they  buy  at  an  easie  rate  ;  And  having 
the  Countrey  round  about  them,  they  are  continually 
furnished  with  all  such  provisions  as  is  needful  for 
the  life  of  man  :  not  only  by  the  English  and  Dutch 
within  their  own,  but  likewise  by  the  Adjacent 
Colonies. 

The  Commodities  vented  from  thence  is  Furs  and 
Skins  before-mentioned  ;  As  likewise  Tobacco  made 
within  the  Colony,  as  good  as  is  usually  made  in 
Mary-land  :  Also  Horses,  Beef,  Pork,  Oyl,  Pease, 
Wheat,  and  the  like. 

Long-Island,  (see  Note  5,)  the  West  end  of  which  lies 
Southward  of  New  York,  runs  Eastward  above  one 
hundred  miles,  and  is  in  some  places  eight,  in  some 
twelve,  in  some  fourteen  miles  broad  :  it  is  inhabited 
from  one  end  to  the  other.  On  the  West  end  is  four 
or  five  Dutch  Towns,  the  rest  being  all .  English  to 
the  number  of  twelve,  besides  Villages  and  Farm 
houses.  The  Island  is  most  of  it  of  a  very  good  soyle, 
and  very  natural  for  all  sorts  of  English  Grain ; 
which  they  sowe  and  have  very  good  increase  of, 
besides  all  other  Fruits  and  Herbs  common  in  Eng- 
land, as  also  Tobacco,  Hemp,  Flax,  Pumpkins, 
Melons,  &c. 

The  Fruits  natural  to  the  Island  are  Mulberries, 
Posimons,  Grapes  great  and  small,  Huckelberries, 
Cramberries,  Plums  of  several  sorts,  Rosberries  and 
Strawberries,  of  which  last  is  such  abundance  in  June, 


4 


denton's  description 


that  the  Fields  and  Woods  are  died  red :  Which  the 
Countrey-people  perceiving,  instantly  arm  themselves 
with  bottles  of  Wine,  Cream,  and  Sugar  and  in  stead 
of  a  Coat  of  Male,  every  one  takes  a  Female  upon 
his  Horse  behind  him,  and  so  rushing  violently  into 
the  fields,  never  leave  till  they  have  disrob'd  them  of 
their  red  colours,  and  turned  them  into  the  old  habit. 

The  greatest  part  of  the  Island  is  very  full  of  Tim- 
ber, as  Oaks  white  and  red,  WTalnut-trees,  Chesnut- 
trees,  which  yield  store  of  Mast  for  Swine,  and  are 
often  therewith  sufficiently  fatted  with  Oat-Corn  as 
also  Maples,  Cedars,  Saxifrage,  Beach,  Birch,  Holly, 
Hazel,  with  many  sorts  more. 

The  Herbs  which  the  Countrey  naturally  afford,  are 
Purslain,  white  Oragc,  Egrimony,  Violets,  Penniroyal, 
Alicampane,  besides  Saxaparilla  very  common,  with 
many  more.  Yea,  in  May  you  shall  see  the  Wroods 
and  Fields  so  curiously  bedecke  with  Roses,  and  an 
innumerable  multitude  of  delightful  Flowers  not  only 
pleasing  the  eye,  but  smell,  that  you  may  behold  Na- 
ture contending  with  Art,  and  striving  to  equal,  if  not 
excel  many  Gardens  in  England  :  nay,  did  we  know 
the  vertue  of  all  those  Plants  and  Herbs  growing 
there  (which  time  may  more  discover)  many  are  of 
opinion,  and  the  Natives  do  affirm,  that  there  is  no 
disease  common  to  the  Countrey,  but  may  be  cured 
without  Materials  from  other  Nations. 

There  is  several  Navigable  Rivers  and  Bays,  which 
puts  into  the  North-side  of  Long-Island,  but  upon  the 
South-side  which  joyns  to  the  Sea,  it  is  so  fortified 
with  bars  of  sands,  and  sholes,  that  it  is  a  sufficient 

26 


OF  NEW  YORK. 


5 


defence  against  any  enemy,  yet  the  South-side  is  not 
without  Brooks  and  Ilivcrcts,  which  empty  them- 
selves into  the  Sea ;  yea,  you  shall  scarce  travel  a 
mile,  but  you  shall  meet  with  one  of  them  whose 
Christal  streams  run  so  swift,  that  they  purge  them- 
selves of  such  stinking  mud  and  filth,  which  the  stand- 
ing or  low  paced  streams  of  most  brooks  and  rivers 
westward  of  this  Colony  leave  lying,  and  are  by  the 
Suns  exhalation  dissipated,  the  Air  corrupted  and 
many  Fevers  and  other  distempers  occasioned,  not 
incident  to  this  Colony  :  Neither  do  the  Brooks  and 
Rivercts  premised,  give  way  to  the  Frost  in  Winter, 
or  drought  in  Summer,  but  keep  their  course  through- 
out the  year.    (See  Note  6.) 

These  Rivers  are  very  well  furnished  with  Fish,  as 
Bosse,  Sheepsheads,  Place,  Perch,  Trouts,  Eels,  Tur- 
tles and  divers  others. 

The  Island  is  plentifully  stored  with  all  sorts  of 
English  Cattel,  Horses,  Hogs,  Sheep,  Goats,  &c.  no 
place  in  the  North  of  America  better,  which  they 
can  both  raise  and  maintain,  by  reason  of  the  large 
and  spacious  Mcdows  or  Marches  wherewith  it  is 
furnished,  the  Island  likewise  producing  excellent 
English  grass,  the  seed  of  which  was  brought  out  of 
England,  which  they  sometimes  mow  twice  a  year. 

For  wildc  Beasts  there  is  Deer,  Bear,  Wolves, 
Foxes,  Racoons,  Otters,  Musquashes  and  Skunks. 
Wild  Fowl  there  is  great  store  of,  as  Turkics,  Heath- 
Hens,  Quails,  Partridges,  Pidgcons,  Cranes,  Geese 
of  several  sorts,  Brants,  Ducks,  Widgeon,  Teal,  and 
divers  others  :  There  is  also  the  red  Bird,  with  divers 

27 


G 


dexton's  description 


sorts  of  singing  birds,  whose  chirping  notes  salute 
the  ears  of  Travellers  with  an  harmonious  discord, 
and  in  every  pond  and  brook  green  silken  Frogs,  who 
warbling  forth  their  untun'd  tunes  strive  to  bear  a 
part  in  this  musick. 

Towards  the  middle  of  Long-Island  lyeth  a  plain 
sixteen  miles  long  and  four  broad,  upon  which  plain 
grows  very  fine  grass,  that  makes  exceeding  good 
Hay,  and  is  very  good  pasture  for  sheep  or  other 
Cattel ;  where  you  shall  find  neither  stick  nor  stone 
to  hinder  the  Horse  heels,  or  endanger  them  in  their 
Races,  and  once  a  year  the  best  Horses  in  the  Island 
are  brought  hither  to  try  their  swiftness,  and  the 
swiftest  rewarded  with  a  silver  Cup,  two  being 
Annually  procured  for  that  purpose.  There  are  two 
or  three  other  small  plains  of  about  a  mile  square, 
which  are  no  small  benefit  to  those  Towns  which  en- 
joy them.    (See  Note  7.) 

Upon  the  South-side  of  Long-Island  in  the  Winter, 
lie  store  of  Whales  and  Crampasses,  which  the  in- 
habitants begin  with  small  boats  to  make  a  trade 
Catching  to  their  no  small  benefit.  Also  an  innumer- 
able multitude  of  Seals,  which  make  an  excellent  oyle  : 
they  lie  all  the  Winter  upon  some  broken  Marshes 
and  Beaches,  or  bars  of  sand  before-mentioned,  and 
might  be  easily  got  were  there  some  skilful  men 
would  undertake  it. 

To  say  something  of  the  Indians,  there  is  now  but 
few  upon  the  Island,  and  those  few  no  ways  hurtful 
but  rather  serviceable  to  the  English,  and  it  is  to  be 
admired,  how  strangely  they  have  decreast  by  the 

28 


OF  NEW  YORK. 


7 


Hand  of  God,  since  the  English  first  setling  of  those 
parts  ;  for  since  my  time,  where  there  were  six  towns, 
they  are  reduced  to  two  small  Villages,  and  it  hath 
been  generally  observed,  that  where  the  English  come 
to  settle,  a  Divine  Hand  makes  way  for  them,  by  re- 
moving or  cutting  off  the  Indians  either  by  Wars 
one  with  the  other,  or  by  some  raging  mortal  Disease. 
(See  Note  8.) 

They  live  principally  by  Hunting,  Fowling,  and 
Fishing  :  their  Wives  being  the  Husbandmen  to  till 
the  Land,  and  plant  their  corn. 

The  meat  they  live  most  upon  is  Fish,  Fowl,  and 
Venison  ;  they  cat  likewise  Polecats,  Skunks,  Racoon, 
Possum,  Turtles,  and  the  like. 

They  build  small  moveable  Tents,  which  they  re- 
move two  or  three  times  a  year,  having  their  princi- 
pal quarters  where  they  plant  their  Corn ;  their 
Hunting  quarters,  and  their  Fishing  quarters  :  Their 
Recreations  are  chiefly  Foot-ball  and  Cards,  at  which 
they  will  play  away  all  they  have,  excepting  a  Flap 
to  cover  their  nakedness  :  They  are  great  lovers  of 
strong  drink,  yet  do  not  care  for  drinking,  unless 
they  have  enough  to  make  themselves  drunk  ;  and  if 
there  be  so  many  in  their  Company,  that  there  is  not 
sufficient  to  make  them  all  drunk,  they  usually  select 
so  many  out  of  their  Company,  proportionable  to  the 
quantity  of  drink,  and  the  rest  must  be  spectators. 
And  if  any  one  chance  to  be  drunk  before  he  hath 
finisht  his  proportion,  (which  is  ordinarily  a  quart  of 
Brandy,  Rum,  or  Strong-waters)  the  rest  will  pour 
the  rest  of  his  part  down  his  throat. 

29 


8  denton's  description 

They  often  kill  one  another  at  these  drunken 
Matches,  which  the  friends  of  the  murdered  person, 
do  revenge  upon  the  Murderer  unless  he  purchase  his 
life  with  money,  which  they  sometimes  do :  Their 
money  is  made  of  a  Periwinkle  shell  of  which  there 
is  black  and  white,  made  much  like  unto  beads,  and 
put  upon  strings.    (See  Note  9.) 

For  their  worship  which  is  diabolical,  it  is  performed 
usually  but  once  or  twice  a  year,  unless  upon  some 
extraordinary  occasion,  as  upon  making  of  War  or  the 
like ;  their  usual  time  is  about  Michaelmass,  when 
their  corn  is  first  ripe,  the  day  being  appointed  by 
their  chief  Priest  or  pawaw  ;  most  of  them  go  a 
hunting  for  venison  :  When  they  are  all  congregated, 
their  priest  tells  them  if  he  want  money,  there  God 
will  accept  of  no  other  offering,  which  the  people 
beleeving,  every  one  gives  money  according  to  their 
ability.  The  priest  takes  the  money,  and  putting  it 
into  some  dishes,  sets  them  upon  the  top  of  their  low 
flat-roofed  houses,  and  falls  to  invocating  their  God 
to  come  and  receive  it,  which  with  a  many  loud  hal- 
lows and  outcries,  knocking  the  ground  with  sticks, 
and  beating  themselves,  is  performed  by  the  priest, 
and  seconded  by  the  people. 

After  they  have  thus  a  while  wearied  themselves, 
the  priest  by  his  Conjuration  brings  in  a  devil  amongst 
them,  in  the  shape  sometimes  of  a  fowl,  sometimes  of 
a  beast,  and  sometimes  of  a  man,  at  which  the  peo- 
ple being  amazed,  not  daring  to  stir,  he  improves  the 
opportunity,  steps  out  and  makes  sure  of  the  money, 
and  then  returns  to  lay  the  spirit,  who  in  the  mean 

30 


OF  NEW   YORK.  9 


time  is  sometimes  gone,  and  takes  some  of  the  Com- 
pany along  with  him  ;  but  if  any  English  at  such 
times  do  come  amongst  them,  it  puts  a  period  to  their 
proceedings,  and  they  will  desire  their  absence,  telling 
them  their  God  will  not  come  whilst  they  are  there. 

In  their  wars  they  fight  no  picht  fields,  but  w  hen 
they  have  notice  of  an  enemies  approach,  they  en- 
deavor to  secure  their  wives  and  children  upon  some 
Island,  or  in  some  thick  swamp,  and  then  with  their 
guns  and  hatchets  they  way-lay  their  enemies,  some 
lying  behind  one,  some  another,  and  it  is  a  great  fight 
where  seven  or  eight  is  slain. 

When  any  Indian  dies  amongst  them,  they  bury 
him  upright,  sitting  upon  a  seat,  with  his  Gun,  money, 
and  such  goods  as  he  hath  with  him,  that  he  may  be 
furnished  in  the  other  world,  which  they  conceive  is 
Westward,  where  they  shall  have  great  store  of 
Game  for  Hunting  and  live  easie  lives.  (See  Note  10) 
At  his  Burial  his  nearest  Relations  attend  the  Hearsti 
with  their  faces  painted  black,  and  do  visit  the  grave 
once  or  twice  a  day,  where  they  send  forth  sad 
lamentations  so  long,  till  time  hath  worn  the  black- 
ness oft'  their  faces,  and  afterwards  every  year  once 
they  view  the  grave,  make  a  new  mourning  for 
him,  trimming  up  the  Grave,  not  suffering  of  a 
Grass  to  grow  by  it:  they  fence  their  graves  with 
a  hedge,  and  cover  the  tops  with  Mats,  to  shelter 
them  from  the  rain. 

Any  Indian  being  dead,  his  name  dies  with  him,  no 
person  daring  ever  after  to  mention  his  Name,  it  being 
not  only  a  breach  of  their  Law,  but  an  abuse  to  his 

31 


10 


denton's  description 


friends  and  relations  present,  as  if  it  were  done  on 
purpose  to  renew  their  grief:  And  any  other  person 
whatsoever  that  is  named  after  that  name  doth  incon- 
tinently change  his  name,  and  takes  a  new  one,  their 
names  are  not  proper  set  names  as  amongst  Chris- 
tians, but  every  one  invents  a  name  to  himself; 
which  he  likes  best.  Some  calling  themselves  Rattle- 
snake, Skunk,  Bucks-horn,  or  the  like :  And  if  a 
person  die,  that  his  name  is  some  word  which  is  used 
in  speech,  they  likewise  change  that  word,  and  invent 
some  new  one,  which  makes  a  great  change  and  al- 
teration in  their  language. 

When  any  person  is  sick,  after  some  means  used 
by  his  friends,  every  one  pretending  skill  in  Physick ; 
that  proving  ineffectual,  they  send  for  a  Pawaw  or 
Priest,  who  sitting  down  by  the  sick  person,  without 
the  least  enquiry  after  the  distemper,  waits  for  a  gift, 
which  he  proportions  his  work  accordingly  to  :  that 
being  received,  he  first  begins  with  a  low  voice  to 
call  upon  his  God,  calling  sometimes  upon  one,  some- 
times on  another,  raising  his  voice  higher  and  higher, 
beating  of  his  naked  breasts  and  sides,  till  the  sweat 
runneth  down,  and  his  breath  is  almost  gone,  then 
that  little  which  is  remaining,  he  evaporates  upon  the 
face  of  the  sick  person  three  or  four  times  together, 
and  so  takes  his  leave. 

Their  Marriages  are  performed  without  any  Cere- 
mony, the  Match  being  first  made  by  money.  The 
sum  being  agreed  upon  and  given  to  the  woman,  it 
makes  a  consummation  of  their  Marriage,  if  I  may 
so  call  it :  After  that,  he  keeps  her  during  his  plea- 

32 


1 1 


sure,  and  upon  the  least  dislike  turns  her  away  and 
takes  another  :  It  is  no  offence  for  their  married 
women  to  lie  with  another  man,  provided  she  acquaint 
her  husband,  or  some  of  her  nearest  Relations  with 
it,  but  if  not,  it  is  accounted  such  a  fault  that  they 
sometimes  punish  it  with  death  :  An  Indian  may  have 
two  wives  or  more  if  he  please  ;  (see  Note  1 1 ,)  but  it 
is  not  so  much  in  use  as  it  was  since  the  English  came 
amongst  them  ;  they  being  ready  in  some  measure 
to  imitate  the  English  in  things  both  good  and  bad  ; 
any  .Maid  before  she  is  married  doth  lie  with  whom 
she  please  for  money,  without  any  scandal  or  the 
least  aspersion  to  be  cast  upon  her,  it  being  so  cus- 
tomary, and  their  laws  tolerating  of  it.  They  are 
extraordinary  charitable  one  to  another,  one  having 
nothing  to  spare,  but  he  freely  imparts  it  to  his  friends, 
and  whatsoever  they  get  by  gaming  or  any  other  way, 
they  share  one  to  another,  leaving  themselves  com- 
monly the  least  share. 

At  their  Cantica's  or  dancing  Matches,  where  all 
persons  that  come  are  freely  entertain'd,  it  being  a 
Festival  time  :  Their  custom  is  when  they  dance, 
every  one  but  the  Dancers  to  have  a  short  stick  in 
their  hand,  and  to  knock  the  ground  and  sing  alto- 
gether, whilst  they  that  dance  sometimes  act  warlike 
postures,  and  then  they  come  in  painted  for  War 
with  their  faces  black  and  red,  or  some  all  black,  some 
all  red,  with  some  streaks  of  white  under  their  eyes, 
and  so  jump  and  leap  up  and  down  without  any  order, 
uttering  many  expressions  of  their  intended  valour. 
For  other  Dances  they  only  shew  what  Antick 

5  33 


12 


tricks  their  ignorance  will  lead  them  to,  wringing  of 
their  bodies  and  faces  after  a  strange  manner,  some- 
times jumping  into  the  fire,  sometimes  catching  up  a 
Fire-brand,  and  biting  off  a  live  coal,  with  many  such 
tricks,  that  will  affright,  if  not  please  an  Englishman 
to  look  upon  them,  resembling  rather  a  company  of 
infernal  Furies  then  men.  When  their  King  or  Sa- 
chem sits  in  Council,  he  hath  a  Company  of  armed 
men  to  guard  his  Person,  great  respect  being  shewn 
to  him  by  the  People,  which  is  principally  mani- 
fested by  their  silence  ;  After  he  hath  declared  the 
cause  of  their  convention,  he  demands  their  opinion, 
ordering  who  shall  begin  :  The  person  ordered  to 
speak,  after  he  hath  declared  his  minde,  tells  them  he 
hath  done ;  no  man  ever  interrupting  any  person  in  his 
speech,  nor  offering  to  speak,  though  he  make  never 
so  many  or  long  stops,  till  he  says  he  hath  no  more 
to  say  :  the  Council  having  all  declar'd  their  opinions, 
the  King  after  some  pause  gives  the  definitive  sen- 
tence, which  is  commonly  seconded  with  a  shout 
from  the  people,  every  one  seeming  to  applaud,  and 
manifest  their  Assent  to  what  is  determined  :  If  any 
person  be  condemned  to  die,  which  is  seldom,  unless 
for  Murder  or  Incest,  the  King  himself  goes  out  in 
person  (for  you  must  understand  they  have  no  prisons, 
and  the  guilty  person  flies  into  the  Woods)  where 
they  go  in  quest  of  him,  and  having  found  him,  the 
King  shoots  first,  though  at  never  such  a  distance, 
and  then  happy  is  the  man  can  shoot  him  down,  and 
cut  off  his  Long,  (see  Note  12,)  which  they  com- 

34 


13 


manly  wear,  who  for  his  pains  is  made  some  Cap- 
tain, or  other  military  Officer. 

Their  Cloathing  is  a  yard  and  an  half  of  broad 
Cloth,  which  is  made  for  the  Indian  Trade,  which 
they  hang  upon  their  shoulders ;  and  half  a  yard  of 
the  same  cloth,  which  being  put  betwixt  their  legs, 
and  brought  up  before  and  behindc,  and  tied  with  a 
Girdle  about  their  middle,  hangs  with  a  flap  on  each 
side  :  They  wear  no  Hats,  but  commonly  wear  about 
their  Heads  a  Snake's  skin,  or  a  Belt  of  their  money, 
or  a  kind  of  a  Ruff  made  with  Dccrs  hair,  and  died 
of  a  scarlet  colour,  which  they  esteem  very  rich. 

They  grease  their  bodies  and  hair  very  often,  and 
paint  their  faces  with  several  colours,  as  black,  white, 
red,  yellow,  blew,  &c.  which  they  take  great  pride  in, 
every  one  being  painted  in  a  several  manner  :  Thus 
much  for  the  Customs  of  the  Indians. 

Within  two  Leagues  of  New  York  licth  Staten- 
Island,  it  bears  from  New  York  West  something 
Southerly  :  It  is  about  twenty-miles  long,  and  four  or 
five  broad,  it  is  most  of  it  very  good  Land,  full  of 
Timber,  and  produceth  all  such  commodities  as  Long 
Island  doth  besides  Tin  and  store  of  Iron  Oar,  and 
the  Calamine  stone  is  said  likewise  to  be  found  there  : 
There  is  but  one  Town  upon  it  consisting  of  English 
and  French,  but  is  capable  of  entertaining  more  in- 
habitants ;  betwixt  this  and  Long  Island  is  a  large 
Bay,  and  is  the  coming  in  for  all  ships  and  vessels 
out  of  the  Sea :  On  the  North-side  of  this  Island 
After-skull  River  puts  into  the  main  Land  on  the 
West-side,  whereof  is  two  or  three  Towns,  but  on  the 

35 


14 


denton's  description 


East-side  but  one.  There  is  very  great  Marshes  or 
Medows  on  both  sides  of  it,  excellent  good  Land, 
and  good  convenience  for  the  setling  of  several 
Towns  ;  there  grows  black  Walnut  and  Locust,  as 
their  doth  in  Virginia,  with  mighty  tall  streight  Tim- 
ber, as  good  as  any  in  the  North  of  America :  It 
produceth  any  Commoditie  Long-Island  doth. 

Hudsons  River  runs  by  New  York  Northward  into 
the  Countrey,  toward  the  Head  of  which  is  seated 
New  Albany,  a  place  of  great  Trade  with  the  Indians, 
betwixt  which  and  New-York,  being  above  one  hun- 
dred miles,  (see  Note  13,)  is  as  good  Corn-land  as  the 
World  affords,  enough  to  entertain  Hundreds  of  Fami- 
lies, which  in  the  time  of  the  Dutch-Government  of 
those  parts  could  not  be  setled  :  For  the  Indians,  ex- 
cepting one  place,  called  the  Sopers,  which  was  kept 
by  a  Garrison,  but  since  the  rcduccmcnt  of  those  parts 
under  His  Majesties  obedience  and  a  Patent  granted 
to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York,  which  is 
about  six  years  ;  since  by  the  care  and  diligence  of 
the  Honorable  Coll  Nicholls  sent  thither  Deputy  to 
His  Highness,  such  a  League  of  Peace  was  made, 
and  Friendship  concluded  betwixt  that  Colony  and 
the  Indians,  that  they  have  not  resisted  or  disturbed 
any  Christians  there,  in  the  setling  or  peaceable  pos- 
sessing of  any  Lands  with  that  Government,  but 
every  man  hath  sate  under  his  own  Vine,  and  hath 
peaceably  reapt  and  enjoyed  the  fruits  of  their  own 
labours,  which  God  continue. 

Westward  of  After-Kull  River  before-mentioned, 
about  18  or  20  miles  runs  in  Raritan-River  North- 

36 


15 


ward  into  the  Countrcy,  some  score  of  miles,  both 
sides  of  which  River  is  adorn'd  with  spacious  Me- 
dows,  enough  to  maintain  thousands  of  Cattel,  the 
Wood-land  is  likewise  very  good  for  corn,  and  stor'd 
with  wildc  Beasts,  as  Deer,  and  Elks,  and  an  innumer- 
able multitude  of  Fowl,  as  in  other  parts  of  the 
Countrey  :  This  River  is  thought  very  capable  for  the 
erecting  of  several  Towns  and  Villages  on  each  side 
of  it,  no  place  in  the  North  of  America  having  better 
convenience  for  the  maintaining  of  all  sorts  of  Cattel 
for  Winter  and  Summer  food :  upon  this  River  is  no 
town  setled,  but  one  at  the  mouth  of  it.  Next  this 
River  Westward  is  a  place  called  Newasons,  where  is 
two  or  three  Towns  and  Villages  setled  upon  the  Sea- 
side, but  none  betwixt  that  and  Delewer  Bay,  which 
is  about  sixty  miles,  all  which  is  a  rich  Champain 
Countrcy,  free  from  stones,  and  indifferent  level ;  store 
of  excellent  good  timber,  and  very  well  watered, 
having  brooks  or  rivers  ordinarily,  one  or  more  in 
every  miles  travel:  The  Countrey  is  full  of  Deer, 
Elks,  Bear,  and  other  Creatures,  as  in  other  parts  of 
the  Countrey,  where  you  shall  meet  with  no  inhabit- 
ant in  this  journey,  but  a  few  Indians,  where  there  is 
stately  Oaks,  whose  broad-branched-tops  serve  for 
no  other  use,  but  to  keep  off  the  Suns  heat  from  the 
wilde  beasts  of  the  Wilderness,  where  is  grass  as 
high  as  a  mans  middle,  that  serves  for  no  other  end 
except  to  maintain  the  Elks  and  Deer,  who  never 
devour  a  hundredth  part  of  it,  then  to  be  burnt  every 
Spring  to  make  way  for  new.  How  many  poor  peo- 
ple in  the  world  would  think  themselves  happy  had 

37 


16  uenton's  description 


they  an  Acre  or  two  of  Land,  whilst  here  is  hundreds, 
nay  thousands  of  Acres,  that  would  invite  inhabitants. 

Delewer  bay  the  mouth  of  the  River,  lyeth  about 
the  mid-way  betwixt  New  York,  and  the  Capes  of 
Virginia  :  It  is  a  very  pleasant  River  and  Countrey, 
but  very  few  inhabitants,  and  them  being  mostly 
Swedes,  Dutch  and  Finns  :  about  sixty  miles  up  the 
River  is  the  principal  Town  called  New  Castle,  which 
is  about  40  miles  from  Mary-land,  and  very  good  way 
to  travel,  either  with  horse  or  foot,  the  people  are 
setled  all  along  the  west  side  sixty  miles  above  New 
Castle ;  the  land  is  good  for  all  sorts  of  English 
grain  and  wanteth  nothing  but  a  good  people  to 
populate  it,  it  being  capable  of  entertaining  many 
hundred  families. 

Some  may  admire,  that  these  great  and  rich  Tracts 
of  land,  lying  so  adjoyning  to  New  England  and  Vir- 
ginia, should  be  no  better  inhabited,  and  that  the 
richness  of  the  soyle,  the  hcalthfulness  of  the  Cli- 
mate, and  the  like,  should  be  no  better  a  motive  to 
induce  people  from  both  places  to  populate  it. 

To  which  I  answer,  that  whilst  it  was  under  the 
Dutch  Government,  which  hath  been  till  within  these 
six  years ;  there  was  little  encouragement  for  any 
English,  both  in  respect  to  their  safety  from  the 
Indians,  the  Dutch  being  almost  always  in  danger  of 
them  ;  and  their  Bcvcr-trade  not  admitting  of  a  War, 
which  would  have  been  destructive  to  their  trade, 
which  was  the  main  thing  prosecuted  by  the  Dutch. 
And  secondly,  the  Dutch  gave  such  bad  Titles  to 
Lands,  together  with  their  exacting  of  the  Tenths  of 

38 


OF  NEW  YORK. 


17 


all  which  men  produced  off  their  Land,  that  did 
much  hinder  the  populating  of  it ;  together  with  that 
general  dislike  the  English  have  of  living  under 
another  Government ;  but  since  the  reduccment  of  it 
there  is  several  Towns  of  a  considerable  greatness 
begun  and  sctlcd  by  people  out  of  New  England,  and 
every  day  more  and  more  come  to  view  and  settle. 

To  give  some  satisfaction  to  people  that  shall  be 
desirous  to  transport  themselves  thither,  (the  Coun- 
trey  being  capable  of  entertaining  many  thousands,) 
how  and  after  what  manner  people  live,  and  how 
Land  may  be  procured,  &c,  I  shall  answer,  that  the 
usual  way,  is  for  a  Company  of  people  to  joyn  to- 
gether, either  enough  to  make  a  Town,  or  a  lesser 
number  ;  these  go  with  the  consent  of  the  Governor, 
and  view  a  Tract  of  Land,  there  being  choice 
enough,  and  finding  a  place  convenient  for  a  Town, 
they  return  to  the  Governor,  who  upon  their  desire 
admits  them  into  the  Colony,  and  gives  them  a  Grant 
or  Patent  for  the  said  Land,  for  themselves  and  As- 
sociates. These  persons  being  thus  qualified,  settle 
the  place,  and  take  in  what  inhabitants  to  themselves 
they  shall  see  cause  to  admit  of,  till  their  Town  be 
full ;  these  Associates  thus  taken  in  have  equal  pri- 
vileges with  themselves,  and  they  make  a  division  of 
the  Land  suitable  to  every  mans  occasions,  no  man 
being  debarr'd  of  such  quantities  as  he  hath  occasion 
for,  the  rest  they  let  lie  in  common  till  they  have 
occasion  for  a  new  division,  never  dividing  their  Pas- 
ture-land at  all,  which  lies  in  common  to  the  whole 
Town.    The  best  Commodities  for  any  to  carry  with 

39 


18  denton's  description 


them  is  Clothing,  the  Countrey  being  full  of  all  sorts 
of  Cattel,  which  they  may  furnish  themselves  withal  at 
an  easie  rate,  for  any  sorts  of  English  Goods,  as 
likewise  Instruments  for  Husbandry  and  Building, 
with  Nails,  Hinges,  Glass,  and  the  like ;  For  the 
manner  how  they  get  a  livelihood,  it  is  principally  by 
Corn  and  Cattel,  which  will  there  fetch  them  any 
Commodities  ;  likewise  they  sowe  store  of  Flax, 
which  they  make  every  one  Cloth  of  for  their  own 
wearing,  as  also  woollen  Cloth,  and  Linsey-woolsey, 
and  had  they  more  Tradesmen  amongst  them,  they 
would  in  a  little  time  live  without  the  help  of  any 
other  Countrey  for  their  Clothing :  For  Tradesmen 
there  is  none  but  live  happily  there,  as  Carpenters, 
Blacksmiths,  Masons,  Tailors,  Weavers,  Shoemakers, 
Tanners,  Brickmakers,  and  so  any  other  Trade ; 
them  that  have  no  Trade  betake  themselves  to  Hus- 
bandry, get  Land  of  their  own,  and  live  exceeding 
well. 

Thus  have  I  briefly  given  you  a  Relation  of  New- 
York,  with  the  places  thereunto  adjoyning ;  In  which, 
if  I  have  err'd,  it  is  principally  in  not  giving  it  its  due 
commendation  ;  for  besides  those  earthly  blessings 
where  it  is  stor'd,  Heaven  hath  not  been  wanting  to 
open  his  Treasure,  in  sending  down  seasonable  show- 
ers upon  the  Earth,  blessing  it  with  a  sweet  and  pleas- 
ant Air,  and  a  Continuation  of  such  Influences  as  tend 
to  the  Health  both  of  Man  and  Beast :  and  the  Climate 
hath  such  an  aflinity  with  that  of  England,  that  it 
breeds  ordinarily  no  alteration  to  those  which  remove 
thither  ;  that  the  name  of  seasoning,  which  is  common 

40 


lit 


to  some  other  Countrcys  hath  never  there  been  known ; 
That  I  may  say,  and  Bay  truly,  that  if  there  be  any 
terrestrial  happiness  to  be  had  by  people  of  all  ranks, 
especially  of  an  inferior  rank,  it  must  certainly  be 
here :  here  any  one  may  furnish  himself  with  land, 
and  live  rent-free,  yea,  with  such  a  quantity  of  Land, 
that  he  may  weary  himself  with  walking  over  his 
fields  of  Corn,  and  all  sorts  of  Grain  :  and  let  his 
stock  of  Cattel  amount  to  some  hundreds,  he  needs 
not  fear  their  want  of  pasture  in  the  Summer  or 
Fodder  in  the  Winter,  the  Woods  affording  sufficient 
supply.  For  the  Summer-season,  where  you  have 
grass  as  high  as  a  mans  knees,  nay,  as  high  as  his 
waste,  interlaced  with  Pea-vines  and  other  weeds 
that  Cattel  much  delight  in,  as  much  as  a  man  can 
press  through  ;  and  these  woods  also  every  mile  or 
half-mile  are  furnished  with  fresh  ponds,  brooks  or 
rivers,  where  all  sorts  of  Cattel,  during  the  heat  of 
the  day,  do  quench  their  thirst  and  cool  themselves  ; 
these  brooks  and  rivers  being  invironcd  of  each  side 
with  several  sorts  of  trees  and  Grape-vines,  the  Vines, 
Arbor-like,  interchanging  places  and  crossing  these 
rivers,  does  shade  and  shelter  them  from  the  scorch- 
ing beams  of  Sols  fiery  influence  ;  Here  those  w  hich 
Fortune  hath  frown'd  upon  in  England,  to  deny  them 
an  inheritance  amongst  their  Brethren,  or  such  as  by 
their  utmost  labors  can  scarcely  procure  a  living,  I 
say  such  may  procure  here  inheritances  of  lands  and 
possessions,  stock  themselves  with  all  sorts  of  Cattel, 
enjoy  the  benefit  of  them  whilst  they  live,  and  leave 
them  to  the  benefit  of  their  children  when  they  die  : 


20 


Here  you  need  not  trouble  the  Shambles  for  meat, 
nor  Bakers  and  Brewers  for  Beer  and  Bread,  nor  run 
to  a  Linnen  Draper  for  a  supply,  every  one  making 
their  own  Linnen,  and  a  great  part  of  their  woollen 
cloth  for  their  ordinary  wearing  :  And  how  prodigal, 
If  I  may  so  say,  hath  Nature  been  to  furnish  the 
Countrey  with  all  sorts  of  wilde  Beasts  and  Fowle, 
which  every  one  hath  an  interest  in,  and  may  hunt  at 
his  pleasure  :  where  besides  the  pleasure  in  hunting, 
he  may  furnish  his  house  with  excellent  fat  Venison, 
Turkeys,  Geese,  Hcath-llens,  Cranes,  Swans,  Ducks, 
Pidgeons,  and  the  like  ;  and  wearied  with  that,  he  may 
go  a  Fishing,  where  the  Rivers  are  so  furnished,  that  he 
may  supply  himself  with  Fish  before  he  can  leave  off 
the  Recreation:  (see  Note  14,)  Where  you  may  travel 
by  Land  upon  the  same  Continent  hundreds  of  miles, 
and  passe  through  Towns  and  Villages,  and  never  hear 
the  least  complaint  for  want,  nor  hear  any  ask  you  for 
a  farthing ;  there  you  may  lodge  in  the  fields  and 
woods,  travel  from  one  end  of  the  Countrey  to  ano- 
ther, w  ith  as  much  security  as  if  you  were  lockt  within 
your  own  Chamber  ;  And  if  you  chance  to  meet  with 
an  Indian-Town,  they  shall  give  you  the  best  enter- 
tainment they  have,  and  upon  your  desire,  direct  you 
on  your  way  :  Hut  that  which  adds  happiness  to  all 
the  rest,  is  the  Healthfulness  of  the  place,  where  many 
people  in  twenty  years  time  never  know  what  sick- 
ness is  ;  where  they  look  upon  it  as  a  great  mortality 
if  two  or  three  die  out  of  a  town  in  a  years  time  ; 
where  besides  the  sweetness  of  the  Air,  the  Countrey 
itself  sends  forth  such  a  fragrant  smell,  that  it  may  be 

42 


21 


perceived  at  Sea  before  they  can  make  the  Land ; 
(see  Note  15,)  where  no  evil  fog  or  vapour  doth  no 
sooner  appear  but  a  North-west  or  Westerly  winde 
doth  immediately  dissolve  it,  and  drive  it  awaj  : 
What  shall  1  say  more  ?  you  shall  scarce  see  a  house, 
but  the  South  side  is  begirt  with  Hives  of  Bees, 
which  increase  after  an  incredible  manner :  That  I 
must  needs  say,  that  if  there  be  any  terrestrial  Ca- 
Daan,  'tis  surely  here,  where  the  Land  floweth  with 
milk  and  honey.  The  inhabitants  are  blest  with 
Peace  and  plenty,  blessed  in  their  Countrcy,  blessed 
in  their  Fields,  blessed  in  the  Fruit  of  their  bodies, 
in  the  fruit  of  their  grounds,  in  the  increase  of  their 
Cattel,  Horses  and  Sheep,  blessed  in  their  Basket, 
and  m  their  Store  ;  In  a  word,  blessed  in  whatsoever 
they  take  in  hand,  or  go  about,  the  Earth  yielding 
plentiful  increase  to  all  their  painful  labours. 

Were  it  not  to  avoid  prolixity  I  could  say  a  great 
deal  more,  and  yet  say  too  little,  how  free  are  those 
parts  of  the  world  from  that  pride  and  oppression, 
with  their  miserable  effects,  which  many,  nay  almost 
all  parts  of  the  world  are  troubled,  with  being  igno- 
rant of  that  pomp  and  bravery  which  aspiring 
Humours  are  servants  to,  and  striving  after  almost 
every  where:  where  a  Waggon  or  Cart  gives  as 
wood  content  as  a  Coach  ;  and  a  piece  of  their  home- 
made  Cloth,  better  than  the  finest  Lawns  or  richest 
Silks  :  and  though  their  low  roofed  houses  may  seem 
to  shut  their  doors  against  pride  and  luxury,  yet  how 
do  they  stand  wide  open  to  let  charity  in  and  out, 
either  to  assist  each  other,  or  relieve  a  stranger,  (see 

43 


22 


denton's  description  of  new  york. 


Note  16,)  and  the  distance  of  place  from  other  Na- 
tions, doth  secure  them  from  the  envious  frowns  of 
ill-affected  Neighbours,  and  the  troubles  which  usu- 
ally arise  thence. 

Now  to  conclude,  its  possible  some  may  say, 
what  needs  a  Relation  of  a  place  of  so  long  standing 
as  New  York  hath  been  ?  (See  Note  17.)  In  answer 
to  which  I  have  said  something  before,  as  to  satisfie 
the  desires  of  many  that  never  had  any  relation  of  it 
Secondly,  though  it  hath  been  long  settled,  yet  but 
lately  reduced  to  his  Majestie's  obedience,  and  by 
that  means  but  new  or  unknown  to  the  English  ;  else 
certainly  those  great  number  of  Furs,  that  have  been 
lately  transported  from  thence  into  Holland  had  never 
past  the  hands  of  our  English  Furriers  :  Thirdly, 
never  any  Relation  before  was  published  to  my 
knowledge,  and  the  place  being  capable  of  entertain- 
ing so  great  a  number  of  inhabitants,  where  they 
may  with  God's  blessing,  and  their  own  industry,  livo 
as  happily  as  any  people  in  the  world.  A  true  Rela- 
tion was  necessary,  not  only  for  the  encouragement 
of  many  that  have  a  desire  to  remove  themselves,  but 
for  the  satisfaction  of  others  that  would  make  a  trade 
thither. 

FINIS. 


This  book  to  be  sold  by  John  Hancock,  at  the  frst 
shop  in  Pope's  Head  Alley,  at  the  sign  of  the  three 
Bibles  in  Cornhil,  1670. 

44 


NOTE  S. 


INDIAN  N  AMKi>  OF  Till:  ISLANDS  AND  HAY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


(Note  1,  page  1.) 

The  first  name,  which  occurs,  is  that  of  the  Hudson  river.  It  does  not  appenr 
that  the  discoverer  thought  of  giving  it  his  own  name.  In  the  narrative  of  his 
voyage,  it  is  called  the  Great  River  of  the  Mountains,  or  simply  the  Great  river. 
This  term  was  simply  translated  hy  his  employers,  the  servants  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company,  who,  on  the  early  maps  of  Nova  Belgica,  called  it 
Groolr  Kirirrc  It  was  afterwards  called  Nassau,  after  the  reigning  House,  but 
this  name  was  not  persevered  in.  After  a  subsequent  time,  they  gave  it  the 
name  of  Mauritius,  after  Prince  Maurice,  but  this  name,  if  it  was  ever  much 
in  vogue,  either  did  not  prevail  against,  or  was  early  exchanged  for  the  popular 
term  of  North  Rivkr — a  name  which  it  emphatically  bore  to  distinguish  it 
from  the  Lenapihittuek  or  Delaware,  which  they  called  South  river.  [Zuydt 
Riviere  ]  That  the  name  of  Mauritius  was  but  partially  introduced,  is  indicated 
by  the  reply  made  by  the  New  England  authorities  to  a  letter  respecting  boun- 
daries of  Gov.  Kieft,  in  1646,  in  which  they  declare,  in  answer  to  his  complaint 
of  encroachments  on  its  settlements,  their  entire  ignorance  of  any  river  bearing 
this  name. 

Neither  of  the  Indian  names  by  which  it  was  called,  appear  to  have  found 
much  favor.  The  Mohegans  called  it  Shatfemuc.  Shaita,  in  the  cognate  dialect 
of  the  Odjibwa,  means  a  pelican.  It  cannot  be  affirmed,  to  denote  the  same 
object  in  litis  dialect,  nor  is  it  known  that  the  pelican  has  ever  been  seen  on  this 
river.  Uc  is  the  ordinary  inflection  for  locality.  The  Mincees,  occupying  the 
west  banks,  called  it  Mohcgan-iltuck.  The  syllable  itt,  before  uck,  is  one  of  the 
most  transitive  forms,  by  which  the  action  of  the  nominative  is  engrafted  upon 
the  objective,  without  communicating  any  new  meaning.  The  signification  of 
the  term  is  Mohegan  river.  The  Iroquois,  (as  given  by  the  interpreter  John 
Bleecker,  and  communicated  by  the  late  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Mitchill  in  a  letter  to 
Dr.  Miller  in  1811.)  called  Ca  ho  ha  ta  te  a,» — that  is  to  say,  if  we  have  appre- 
hended the  word,  the  great  river  having  mountains  beyond  the  Cahoh  or  Cahoes 
Falls. 

»  Vide  Dr.  Miller's  Historical  I >isroiir-<- . 

H 


24  NOTES. 


The  three  prominent  Indian  names  of  the  Hudson  are  therefore  the  Mohegan, 
the  Chatemuc,  and  the  Cahotatea. 

The  river  appears  to  have  been  also  called,  by  other  tribes  of  the  Iroquois 
confederacy,  Sanataty.  The  word  ataty,  here,  is  the  same  written  atatea,  above, 
and  is  descriptive  of  various  scenes  according  to  its  prefix.  The  English  first 
named  the  river,  the  Hudson,  after  the  surrender  of  the  colony  in  1664.  It  does  not 
appear,  under  this  name,  in  any  Dutch  work  or  record,  which  has  been  examined. 
It  may  be  observed,  that  the  term  has  not  exclusively  prevailed  to  the  present 
day,  among  New  Yorkers  in  the  river  counties,  where  the  name  of  North 
River  is  still  popular.  It  will  be  recollected,  as  a  proof  of  the  prevailing  custom, 
that  Fulton  called  his  first  boat,  to  test  the  triumph  of  steam,  "  The  North 
River." 

If  the  river  failed  to  bear  to  future  times,  either  of  its  original  names,  the 
island,  as  the  nominative  of  the  city,  was  equally  unfortunate,  the  more  so  it  is 
conceived,  as  the  name  of  the  city  became  the  name  of  the  state.  Regret  has 
been  expressed,  that  some  one  of  the  sonorous  and  appropriate  Indian  names  of 
the  west,  had  not  been  chosen  to  designate  the  state.  The  colonists  were  but 
little  regardful  of  questions  of  this  kind.  Both  the  Dutch  in  1609  and  the  Eng- 
lish in  1665,  came  with  precisely  the  same  force  of  national  prepossession — the 
first  in  favor  of  Amsterdam,  and  the  second  in  favor  of  New  York  both  con- 
nected with  the  belittling  adjective  "  New."  It  is  characteristic  of  the  English, 
that  they  have  sought  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  their  victories,  conquests 
and  discoveries,  by  these  geographical  names.  And  the  word  New  York,  if  it 
redound  less  to  their  military  or  naval  glory,  than  Blenheim,  Trafalgar  and 
Waterloo  may  be  cited  to  show,  that  this  was  an  early  developed  trait  of  cha- 
racter of  the  English,  abroad  as  well  as  at  home.  It  would  be  well,  indeed,  if 
their  descendants  in  America  had  been  a  little  more  alive  to  the  influence  of  this 
trait.  Those  who  love  the  land,  and  cherish  its  nationalities,  would  at  least 
have  been  spared,  in  witnessing  the  growth  and  development  of  this  great  city, 
the  continued  repetition  of  foreign,  petty  or  vulgar  names,  for  our  streets  and 
squares  and  public  resorts,  while  such  names  as  Saratoga  and  Ticonderoga, 
Niagara  and  Ontario,  Iosco  and  Owasco,  are  never  thought  of.* 

The  Indians  called  the  Island  Mon-a-ton  dropping  the  local  inflection  uk. 
The  word  is  variously  written  by  early  writers.  The  sound  as  pronounced  to 
me  in  182"  by  Metoxon,  a  Mohegan  chief,  is  Mon  ah  tan  uk,  a  phrase  which  is 
descriptive  of  the  whirlpool  of  Hellgate.  Mon  or  man,  as  here  written,  is  the 
radix  of  the  adjective  bad,  carrying  as  it  does,  in  its  multiplied  forms,  the  vari- 
ous meanings  of  violent,  dangerous,  &.C,  when  applied  in  compounds.  Ah  tun, 
is  a  generic  term  lor  a  channel,  or  stream  of  running  water.  Uk,  denotes 
locality,  and  also  plurality.  When  the  tribe  has  thus  denoted  this  passage, 
which  is  confessedly  the  most  striking  and  characteristic  geographical  feature  of 


•  Vide  Letter  to  Hon  J.  Harper. 

46 


n<  I'rr.s. 


25 


the  region,  they  rnlled  the  island  near  it.  to  imply  the  Anglicised  term,  Man-hat- 
tan,  nml  themselves  Moil -a  t mix.  that  is  to  say,  "  People  of  the  Whirlpool."  It 
is  well  known  that  the  Indian  tribes,  have,  generally,  taken  their  distinctive 
names  from  geographical  features.  The  Narragansetts,  as  we  are  told  hy  Roger 
Williams,  took  that  nninc,  from  a  small  island  off  the  coast.*  Massachusetts, 
according  to  the  same  authority,  signifies  the  Blue  Hills,  and  is  derived  from  the 
appearance  of  lands  at  sea.  Mississaga,  signifies  they  live  at  the  mouth  of  a 
large  river,  and  hy  an  inflection,  the  people  who  live  at  the  mouth  of  the  large 
river  or  waters.  Onondaga,  means  the  people  who  live  on  the  hill.  Oneida, 
the  people  who  sprang  from  a  rock.  &.C.  These  names  afford  no  clue  to  nation- 
ality, they  preserve  no  ethnological  chain. 

The  tradition  that  this  island  derives  its  name  from  the  accidental  circumstance 
of  the  intoxication  of  the  Indians  on  Hudson's  first  visit,  in  1GU9,  is  a  sheer 
inference,  unsupported  by  philology.  That  the  tradition  of  such  an  event  was 
preserved  and  related  to  the  early  missionaries  by  the  Mohegan  Indians,  admits 
of  no  doubt,  nor  is  there  more,  that  the  island  was  referred  to  as  the  place  where 
their  ancestors  first  obtained  the  taste  of  ardent  spirits.  That  the  island  had  no 
name  prior  to  1609,  or  if  well  known  hy  a  characteristic  name,  that  this  elder 
name  was  then  dropped  and  a  new  name  bestowed,  in  allusion  to  this  circum- 
stance of  the  intoxication,  is  not  only  improbable,  on  known  principles,  but  is 
wholly  unsustained,  as  will  have  been  perceived  by  the  above  etymology.  The 
word  for  intoxication,  or  dizziness  from  drink,  in  the  Algonquin,  and  with  little 
change  in  all  the  cognate  dialects,  is  A>  irttxh  kira  bee.  The  verb  to  drink  in 
the  same  dialects,  is  Min  e  kira,  in  the  Mohegan  "  Minahn"  words  having 
none  of  the  necessary  elements  of  this  compound.  Very  great  care  is,  indeed, 
required  in  recording  Indian  words,  to  be  certain  that  the  word  given,  is  actually 
expressive  of  the  object  of  inquiry.  Some  curious  and  amusing  examples  of 
mistakes  of  this  kind  might  be  given,  did  it  comport  with  the  limits  of  this  note. 

There  were  several  Indian  villages,  or  places  of  resort,  on  the  island  of  Mon- 
a-tun,  for  which  the  original  names  have  survived.  The  extreme  point  of  land, 
between  the  junction  of  the  East  and  North  rivers,  of  which  the  Battery  is  now 
a  part,  was  called  Kapsee  and  within  the  memory  of  persons  still  living  was 
known  as  "  the  Copsie  point"  a  term  which  appears  to  denote  a  safe  place  of 
landing,  formed  by  eddy  waters.  There  was  a  village  called  Sapokanican, 
on  the  shores  of  the  Hudson,  at  the  present  site  of  Greenwich.  Corlaer's 
Hook  was  called  Nnghtognk  t  The  particle  tonk,  here,  denotes  sand.  A 
tract  of  meadow  land  on  the  north  end  of  the  island,  near  Kingsbridge,  was 
called  Muscoota,  that  is,  meadow  or  grass  land.  Warpoes  was  a  term  bestowed 
on  a  piece  of  elevated  ground,  situated  above  and  beyond  the  small  lake  or  pond 
called  the  Kolck.    This  term  is,  apparently  a  derivative  from  Wawbose,  a  hare. 


*  Collection'  of  the  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society,  Vol.  3 
t  Nechlank.  (Dutch  notation.) 

«7 


26 


NOTES. 


The  Islands  around  the  city  had  their  appropriate  names.  Long  Island  was 
colled  Metoac,  after  the  name  of  the  Meidacks,  the  principal  tribe  located  on  it. 
It  is  thus  called  by  Van  Der  Donck  in  1656,  and  in  all  the  subsequent  maps  of 
authority,  down  to  Evans',  in  l?7i>.  Smith  calls  it  Meitowacks.  In  Governor 
Clinton's  discourse,  it  is  printed  Meilowacks,  but  this  is  evidently  a  typographical 
error. 

Staten  Island,  we  are  informed  by  De  Vries,  was  occupied  by  the  Mon-a-tans 
who  called  it  Monocknong  with  a  verbal  prefix.  The  termination  is  ong,  denotes 
locality.  Manon  is  the  ironwood  tree,  ack  denotes  a  tree,  or  trunk,  and  admits 
a  prefix  from  "  manadun,"  bad.  By  inquiry  it  does  not  appear  that  the  Iron- 
wood,  although  present,  ever  existed  in  sufficient  abundance  to  render  the  name 
from  that  characteristic*  The  other,  it  is  too  late  to  investigate.  It  is  believed 
the  expression  had  an  implied  meaning,  and  denoted  the  Haunted  Woods. 

Thus  far  the  colonial  maps  and  records,  so  far  as  they  have  fallen  under  the 
author's  notice.  The  vocabulary  of  the  Mohegans  affords,  however,  a  few 
other  terms,  the  application  of  which  may  be  well  assumed  from  their  etymology. 
Of  this  kind  is  the  term  Naosh,  for  Sandy  Hook,  meaning  a  poin  surpassing 
others.  Minnisais,  or  the  lesser  island,  for  Bedlow's  island  ;  and  Kioshk,  or 
Gull  island,  for  Ellis's  island.  The  heights  of  Brooklyn  are  graphically  described 
in  the  term  Ihpetonga  ;  that  is,  high  sandy  banks. 

The  geological  structure  of  the  island  was  such  as  to  bring  it  to  a  much  nar* 
rower  point,  than  it  now  occupies.  By  the  recent  excavations  for  the  foundations 
of  Trinity  Church,  and  the  commercial  buildings  on  the  site  of  the  Old  Presby- 
rian  Church  in  Wall-street,  the  principal  stratum  is  seen  to  be  of  coarse  grey  sea 
sand,  capped  with  a  similar  soil,  mixed  with  vegetable  mould  and  feruginoua 
oxide.  From  the  make  of  the  land,  the  Indian  path,  on  the  Trinity  plateau, 
forked  at  the  foot  of  the  Park,  and  proceeded  east  of  the  small  lake  called  the 
Kolck  [Agiejon]  to  the  rise  of  ground  at  Chatham  square.  Here,  or  not  far 
from  it,  was  the  eminence  called  W aRpoes,  probably  the  site  of  a  village,  and  so 
named  from  its  chief.  The  stream  and  marsh  existing  where  Canal  street  now 
runs,  gave  this  eastern  tendency  to  the  main  path.  At  or  beyond  Warpoes, 
another  fork  in  the  path  became  necessary  to  reach  the  Banks  of  the  Hudson  at 
the  Indian  village  of  Lafinikan,  now  Greenwich.  In  this  route  laid  the  emi- 
nence Isht-atena,  late  Richmond  Hill,  at  the  comer  of  Charlton  and  Varick 
streets.  The  path  leading  from  the  interjunction  at  Warpoes,  or  Chatham 
square,  to  Nahlonk,  or  Corlaer's  Hook,  had  no  intermediate  village,  of  which  the 
name  has  survived.  This  portion  of  the  i.->land  was  covered  with  a  fine  forest 
of  nut  wood,  oaks,  and  other  hard- wood  species,  interspersed  with  grassy  blades, 
about  the  sites  of  the  Indian  villages.  The  up|>er  part  of  the  Island  was  densely 
wooded.  Above  Fortieth  street  it  was  unfavorable  for  any  purpose  but  hunting, 
and  much  of  the  middle  part  of  it.  as  between  Fifth  and  Eighth  Avenues,  was 


*  M.  S.  letter  from  R.  M.  Tyson,  Esq. 

48 


v!7 


either  shoe-ileep  under  water  or  naturally  swampy.  This  arose,  as  is  seen  at  this 
day.  from  a  clayey  stratum,  winch  retains  the  moisture,  whereas  the  whole  island 
below  this  location,  particularly  below  the  brow  of  the  syenitic  formation  of 
Thirty-seventh  street ,  &.C.,  consisted  of  gravel  and  sand,  which  absorl>cd  the 
moisture  and  rendered  it  the  most  favorable  site  for  building  and  occupation.  On 
the  margin  of  the  Hudson,  the  water  reached,  tradition  tells  us,  to  Greenwich 
street.  There  is  a  yellow  painted  wooden  house  still  standing  at  the  northeast 
corner  of  Courtlandt  and  Greenwich  streets,  which  had  the  water  near  to  it. 
Similar  tradition  assures  us  that  Broad  street  was  the  site  of  a  marsh  and  small 
creek.  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  foot  of  Maiden  lane,  once  Fly  Market,  and 
of  the  outlet  of  the  Muskeeg  or  swamp,  now  Ferry  street.  Pearl  street  marked 
the  winding  margin  of  the  East  river.  Foundations  dug  here  reach  the  ancient 
banks  of  oyster  shells.  Ashibic  denotes  the  probable  narrow  ridge  or  ancient 
cliff  north  of  Beekman  street,  which  bounded  the  marsh  below.  Ocitoc  is  a 
term  for  the  height  of  land  in  Broadway,  at  Niblo's  ;  Awe,  a  rock  rising  up  in 
the  Battery  ;  Pexabic,  Mt.  Washington,  or  the  Comb  mountain.  These  notices, 
drawn  from  philology,  and,  in  part,  the  earlier  geographical  accounts  of  New  Bel- 
gium, might  be  extended  to  a  few  other  points,  which  are  clearly  denoted  ;  but 
are  deemed  sufficient  to  sustain  the  conclusions,  which  we  have  arrived  at,  that 
the  main  configuration  of  the  leading  thoroughfares  of  the  city,  from  the  ancient 
canoe-place  at  Copsie  or  the  Battery,  extending  north  to  the  Park,  and  thence 
to  Chatham  square  and  the  Bowery,  and  west  to  Tivoli  Garden,  &c,  were  an- 
cient roads,  in  the  early  times  of  Holland  supremacy,  which  followed  the  primary 
Indian  foot-paths. 

As  a  general  remark,  it  may  be  said  that  the  names  of  the  Mon-a-tons,  or 
Manhattanese,  were  not  euphonous,  certainly  less  so  than  those  of  the  Delawares 
or  Iroquois.    //.  JL  Schoolcraft. 

JVbre  2,  page  2. 
HELL-GATE. 

About  six  miles  from  the  renowned  city  of  the  Manhattoes,  in  that  sound  or 
arm  of  the  sea  which  passes  between  the  main  land  and  Nassau,  or  Long  Island, 
there  is  a  narrow  strait,  where  the  current  is  violently  compressed  between 
shouldering  promontories,  and  horribly  perplexed  by  rocks  and  shoals.  Being, 
at  the  best  of  times,  a  very  violent,  impetuous  current,  it  takes  these  impedimenta 
in  mighty  dudgeon  ;  boiling  in  whirlpools  ;  brawling  and  fretting  in  ripp'es  5 
raging  and  roaring  in  rapids  and  breakers  ;  and,  in  short,  indulging  in  all  kinds 
of  wrong-headed  paroxysms.  At  such  times,  wo  to  any  unlucky  vessel  that 
ventures  within  its  clutches  .' 

This  termagant  humour,  however,  prevails  only  at  certain  times  of  tide.  At 
low  water,  for  instance,  it  is  as  pacific  a  stream  as  you  would  wish  to  see  ;  but  as 
the  tide  rises,  it  begins  to  fret  ;  at  half-tide  it  roars  with  might  and  main,  like  a 


28  NOTES. 


bully  bellowing  for  more  drink  ;  but  when  the  tide  is  full,  it  relapses  into  quiet, 
and,  for  a  time,  sleeps  as  soundly  as  an  alderman  after  dinner.  In  fact,  it  may 
be  compared  to  a  quarrelsome  toper,  who  is  a  peaceable  fellow  enough  when  he 
has  no  liquor  at  all,  or  when  he  has  a  skin  full,  but  who,  when  half-seas-over, 
plays  the  very  devil. 

This  mighty,  blustering,  bullying,  hard-drinking  little  strait,  was  a  place  of 
great  danger  and  perplexity  to  the  Dutch  navigators  of  ancient  days  ;  hectoring 
their  tub-built  barks  in  the  most  unruly  style  ;  whirling  them  about  in  a  manner 
to  make  any  but  a  Dutchman  giddy,  and  not  unfrequently  stranding  them  upon 
rocks  and  reefs,  as  it  did  the  famous  squadron  of  OlofFe  the  Dreamer,  when  seek- 
ing a  place  to  found  the  city  of  the  Manhattoes.  Whereupon,  out  of  sheer 
spleen  they  denominated  it  Helle-gat,  and  solemnly  gave  it  over  to  the  devil. 
This  appellation  has  since  been  aptly  rendered  into  English  by  the  name  of  Hell- 
gate,  and  into  nonsense  by  the  name  of  Hurl-gale,  according  to  certain  foreign 
intruders,  who  neither  understood  Dutch  nor  English — may  St.  Nicholas  con- 
found them  ! 

This  strait  of  Hell-gate  was  a  place  of  great  awe  and  perilous  enterprise  to 
me  in  my  boyhood  ;  having  been  much  of  a  navigator  on  those  small  seas,  and 
having  more  than  once  run  the  risk  of  shipwreck  and  drowning  in  the  course  of 
certain  holiday-voyages,  to  which,  in  common  with  other  Dutch  urchins,  1  was 
rather  prone.  Indeed,  partly  from  the  name,  and  partly  from  various  strange 
circumstances  connected  with  it,  this  place  had  far  more  terrors  in  the  eyes  of 
my  truant  companions  and  myself,  than  had  Scylla  and  Charybdis  for  the  navi- 
gators of  yore. 

In  the  midst  of  this  strait,  and  hard  by  a  group  of  rocks  called  the  Hen  and 
Chickens,  there  lay  the  wreck  of  a  vessel  which  had  been  entangled  in  the 
whirlpools,  and  stranded  during  a  storm.  There  was  a  wild  story  told  to  us  of 
this  being  the  WTeck  of  a  pirate,  and  some  tale  of  bloody  murder  which  I  can- 
not now  recollect,  but  which  made  us  regard  it  with  great  awe,  and  keep  far 
from  it  in  our  cruisings.  Indeed,  the  desolate  look  of  the  forlorn  hulk,  and  the 
fearful  place  where  it  lay  rotting,  were  enough  to  awaken  strange  notions.  A 
row  of  timber-heads,  blackened  by  time,  just  peered  above  the  surface  at  high 
water  ;  but  at  low  tide  a  considerable  part  of  the  hull  was  bare,  and  its  great 
ribs,  or  timbers,  partly  stripped  of  their  planks,  and  dripping  with  sea-weeds, 
looked  like  the  huge  skeleton  of  some  sea-monster.  There  was  also  the  stump 
of  a  mast,  with  a  few  ropes  and  blocks  swinging  about,  and  whistling  in  the 
wind,  whUe  the  sea-gull  wheeled  and  screamed  around  the  melancholy  carcass. 
I  have  a  faint  recollection  of  some  hobgoblin  tale  of  sailors'  ghosts  being  seen 
about  this  wreck  at  night,  with  bare  sculls,  and  blue  lights  in  their  sockets  instead 
of  eyes,  but  I  have  forgotten  all  the  particulars. 

In  fact,  the  whole  of  this  neighborhood  was  like  the  Straits  of  Pelorus  of  yore, 
a  region  of  fable  and  romance  to  me.  From  the  strait  to  the  Manhattoes  the 
borders  of  the  Sound  are  greatly  diversified,  being  broken  and  indented  by  rocky 
nooks  overhung  with  trees,  which  give  them  a  wild  and  romantic  look.    In  the 

50 


NOTES.  "2'.) 


lime  of  my  boyhood,  they  abounded  with  traditions  about  pirates,  gltosts,  smug- 
glers, and  buried  money  ;  which  had  a  wonderful  effect  upon  the  young  minds  of 
my  companions  and  myself. 

As  I  grew  to  more  mature  years,  I  made  diligent  research  after  the  truth  of 
these  strange  traditions  ;  fori  \  <•  always  been  u  curiona  inveBtigatOI  of  die 
valuable  but  obscure  branches  of  the  history  of  my  native  province.  I  found 
infinite  difficulty,  however,  in  arriving  at  any  precise  information.  In  seeking  to 
dig  up  one  fact,  it  is  incredible  the  number  of  fables  that  I  unearthed.  I  will 
say  nothing  of  the  Devil's  Stepping-stones,  by  which  the  arch-fiend  made  his 
retreat  from  Connecticut  to  Long  Island,  across  the  Sound  ;  seeing  the  subject  is 
likely  to  be  learnedly  treated  by  a  worthy  friend  and  contemporary  historian, 
whom  I  have  furnished  with  particulars  thereof.*  Neither  will  I  say  anything 
of  the  black  man  in  a  three-cornered  hat,  seated  in  the  stern  of  a  jolly-boat, 
who  used  to  be  seen  about  Hell-gate  in  stormy  weather,  and  who  went  by  the 
name  of  the  pirate's  spuke,  (i.  e.  pirate's  ghost),  and  whom,  it  is  said,  old  Gover- 
nor Stuyvesant  once  shot  with  a  silver  bullet  ;  because  I  never  could  meet  with 
any  person  of  staunch  credibility  who  professed  to  have  seen  this  spectrum, 
unless  it  were  the  widow  of  Manus  Conklen,  the  blacksmith  of  Frogsneck  ;  but 
then,  poor  woman,  she  was  a  little  purblind,  and  might  have  been  mistaken  ; 
though  they  soy  she  saw  farther  than  other  folks  in  the  dark.t —  \V.  Irving. 


Note  3,  page  2. 

"  Governor's  Island  bore  the  name  of  Nut  island,  during  the  Holland  suprema- 
cy, in  Dutch  Nutten  :  but  whether  as  is  suspected,  tills  was  a  translation  of  the 
Indian  recanuc,  or  '  nut  trees,'  is  not  certain." 


Note  4,  page  2. 

Those  memorials  of  the  "  olden  time,"  the  residences  of  our  forefathers,  have 
entirely  disappeared  from  the  streets  of  New  York.  Even  Albany,  which  in  De- 
cember, 17S9,  is  described  in  the  "  Columbian  Magazine,"  of  that  date,  as  hav- 

•  For  a  very  interesting  and  authentic  account  of  the  devil  und  his  stepping-stones,  see 
the  Memoir  read  before  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  since  the  death  of  Mr.  Knicker- 
bocker, by  his  friend,  an  eminent  jurist  of  the  plnce. 

t  This  is  a  narrow  strait  in  the  Sound,  at  the  distance  of  six  miles  above  New  York.  It  is 
dangerous  to  shipping,  unless  tinder  the  care  of  skilful  pilous,  by  reason  of  numerous  rocks, 
(helves,  and  whirlpools.  These  have  received  sundry  appellations,  such  as  the  gridiron, 
frying-pan.  hog's  back,  pot,  &c.  ;  and  arc  very  violent  and  turbulent  at  certain  times  of 
tide.  Certain  wise  men  who  instruct  these  modern  days  have  softened  the  above  charac- 
teristic name  Into  Hurl-gate,  which  means  nothing.  I  leave  them  to  give  theirown  etymo- 
logy. The  name  as  given  by  our  author,  is  supported  by  the  map  in  Vander  Donck's  his- 
tory, published  in  IfijC,  by  Ogilvic's  History  of  America,  1071,  as  also  by  a  journal  still 
extant,  written  in  the  sixteenth  century,  and  to  be  found  in  Hazard's  State  Paper.  And  an 
old  MS.,  written  in  French,  speaking  of  various  alterations  in  names  about  this  city,  observes 
•  Dc  Hell-gat,  tro  d'Enfe  ',  Us  ont  fait  Hell-gate,  porte  d'Enfer." 

51 


30 


NOTES. 


ing  its  "  houses  mostly  of  brick,  built  in  the  old  Low  Dutch  style,  with  the  gable 
ends  towards  the  street,  and  terminating  at  the  top  with  a  kind  of  parapet,  in- 
dented like  stairs;  the  roofs  steep  and  heavy,  surmounted  with  a  staff  or  spire, 
with  the  figure  of  a  horse,  &.c,  by  way  of  a  weather  cock,  the  walls  of  the 
houses  clamped  with  iron,  in  the  form  of  letters  and  numerical  figures,  designa- 
ting the  initials  of  the  proprietor's  name,  and  the  year  in  which  it  was  built" — 
has  now  but  two  or  three  buildings  of  that  description  ;  one  of  which  is  next  ad- 
joining the  Female  Academy,  in  North  Pearl  street,  and  was  close  by  the 
celebrated  Vander  Heyden  mansion,  described  so  felicitously  by  Washington 
Irving  in  his  story  of  "  Dolph  Heyliger,"  in  Bracebridge  Hall.  There  are 
several  houses  still  remaining  on  Long  Island,  venerable  for  their  antiquity, 
and  for  the  historical  incidents  connected  with  their  existence.  One  of  them 
is  the  house  in  Southold,  known  as  "  the  old  Youngs'  place,"  which  was 
built  in  1688.  It  was  the  mansion  house  of  the  descendants  of  the  Rev. 
John  Youngs,  the  first  Christian  minister  in  that  part  of  Long  Island.  In  the 
same  town  also  the  edifice  known  as  "Cochran's  Hotel,"  was  erected  in  1700. 
If  space  and  time  permitted,  several  others  might  be  noticed,  in  the  Eastern 
part  of  the  Island.  Approaching  westwardly  through  the  Island  we  meet  with 
an  ancient  brick  dwelling  on  Fort  Neck,  which  a  century  ago,  or  more,  was 
known  as  "  the  Haunted  House  f  and  had  many  strange  and  wonderful  stories 
connected  with  it,  and  a  lonely  grave,  marked  by  an  old  tomb-stone,  some  little 
distance  from  the  house,  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream  ;  a  most  solitary  spot 
surrounded  by  a  low  earth  wall. 

Flatbush  may  still  boast  of  several  of  these  relics  of  former  days.  Among 
them  is  a  long  old  one  story  Dutch  brick  house,  built  in  the  year  1GDC  ;  which 
has  the  date  of  its  erection,  with  the  initials  of  its  original  proprietor's  name, 
formed  by  blue  and  red  glazed  bricks,  arranged  in  the  following  manner  on  its 
front : — 

16.  P.  S.  96. 

One  of  the  oldest  houses  in  the  State,  and  probably  the  oldest,  was  taken 
down  in  Brooklyn  about  twenty  years  ago.  It  was  said  to  have  been  erected  by 
a  family  who  emigrated  from  Holland,  and  its  history  by  tradition  could  be 
traced  back  about  190  years,  carrying  it  to  the  period  of  the  Dutch  government 
in  this  State  as  the  Colony  of  "  Novum  Belgium" — or  New  Netherlands  ;  it 
stood  on  the  East  side  of  Fulton  street,  having  been  removed  for  the  opening  of 
Market  street.  The  frame  of  this  old  building  was  discovered  to  be  so  good 
and  sound,  that  it  is  now,  with  a  new  outer  covering  a  dwelling  house  in  Jackson 
Street,  in  the  same  city; 

In  the  same  Fulton  street,  on  the  northerly  corner  of  Nassau  street,  stood  an 
ancient  brick  house,  of  whose  original  date  we  have  no  information.    It  was 

32 


91 


used  for  holding  a  session  of  the  Colonial  Legislature,  during  the  prevalence  of 
the  small  pox  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  175:2  ;  and  was  subsequently  occupied 
by  Gen.  Israel  Putnam  as  his  head  quarters,  during  the  stay  of  the  American 
Army  on  Long  Island  in  the  summer  1776.  This  house  was  taken  down  in  the 
month  of  May  1830,  and  its  timbers,  which  were  all  of  oak,  (as  were  those  of  the 
old  house  mentioned  immediately  preceding  this,  and  all  the  other  old  buildings 
of  that  early  period,)  and  so  perfectly  sound  and  hard,  that  they  could  not  be 
cut  without  much  difficulty.  Most  of  the  beams  were  worked  into  the  new 
brick  buildings  which  now  occupy  the  same  site. 

What  an  idea  does  this  simple  fact  afford  us  of  the  strength  and  permanency 
with  which  every  thing  was  done  by  our  ancestors.  They  did  not  build  in  haste, 
or  run  up  houses  during  the  frosts  of  winter,  but  all  was  done  with  much  care 
and  forethought  ; — they  were  building  for  their  posterity  as  well  as  for  them- 
selves. And  as  in  building,  so  in  every  other  matter,  much  time  was  spent 
in  examining  every  project  in  all  its  probable  bearings,  before  it  was  adventured 
upon  ;  when  once  undertaken,  it  was  persisted  in  with  a  force  and  spirit  almost 
unknown  to  the  present  age.  To  this  peculiar  characteristic  of  our  forefathers 
we  owe  all  the  blessings  arising  from  our  Institutions  of  Government.  A  slight 
and  partial  examination  of  the  history  of  the  United  States,  for  the  half  century 
preceding  the  Revolution  of  1776,  will  show  us,  how  many  years  of  patient 
thought  and  unwearied  toil  were  deemed  necessary  by  the  patriots  of  that  day 
to  precede  the  great  event  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  to  give  to 
it  the  desired  stability.  They  did  not  dream  of  getting  up  a  Revolution  in  a 
few  hours,  days,  or  months,  now  so  common  in  this  world,  and  whose  effects,  of 
course,  are  as  evanescent  as  were  the  deliberations  which  gave  them  birth. 

Another  memorial  of  antiquity,  which  still  remains  to  us,  in  Brooklyn,  is  the 
Cortelyou  Mansion,  of  stone  and  brick,  at  Gowannes,  which  bears  on  its  gable 
end,  in  large  iron  figures,  the  date  of  its  erection,  1699.  It  is  a  venerable  looking 
edifice  ;  when  viewing  it  our  minds  are  imperceptibly  led  to  think  of  how  much  of 
human  joy  and  sorrow,  happiness  and  misery  such  a  building  must  of  necessity 
have  been  partners  to  ;  and  if  it  had  the  power  to  tell,  what  a  strange  romance 
would  even  the  plainest  narrative  of  the  facts  which  have  transpired  under  its 
roof  now  appear  to  us.  True  it  is  that  fact  is  often  much  stranger  than  any  ro- 
mance which  the  mind  of  man  ever  conceived.  This  house  was  the  residence  of 
the  American  General,  Lord  Sterling,  previous  to  his  capture  by  the  British  in 
the  Battle  of  Long  Island. 

The  houses  mentioned  in  this  note  were  among  the  largest  and  most  impor- 
tant  dwellings  in  the  Colony  at  the  period  of  their  erection  ;  and  serve  to  show 
us  what  the  most  wealthy  and  noble  of  the  land  then  thought  sufficient  for  all 
their  wants,  and  for  the  accommodation  of  their  families  and  friends.  In 
the  century  following  there  was  an  evident  change  in  sentiment  in  this  re- 
spect ;  the  houses  were  larger,  and  from  being  long  and  narrow  with  two  front 
doors,  not  unfrequently  side  by  side,  and  one,  or  one  and  a  half  stories  high,  they 
became  square,  and  two  stories  in  height,  affording  double  the  amount  of  room, 

53 


32 


if  not  more,  than  in  the  old  style  of  building  in  the  century-  immediately  proceed- 
ing. This  new  style,  even  now  would  be  regarded  highly  respectable  in  appear- 
ance. There  are  however  but  few,  very  few,  instances  of  it  in  existence,  One 
of  the  last  in  Brooklyn,  was  the  old  Goralemon  House,  destroyed  by  fire  about 
three  years  since.  It  was  sometime  preceding  the  American  Revolution  the 
mansion  house  of  Philip  Livingston,  Esq.,  who  being  attached  to  the  American 
cause,  and  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  the  British  army  in  1776, 
took  possession  of  his  house,  and  converted  it  into  a  naval  hospital,  for  which  pur- 
pose it  was  used  during  the  whole  of  the  revolutionary  war.  This  house  was  finish- 
ed in  the  best  style  of  art  of  that  period  ;  the  mantle  pieces  were  of  Italian  mar- 
ble, beautifully  carved  in  high  relief,  in  Italy,  And  the  gardens  attached  to  the 
house,  are  spoken  of  as  among  the  most  beautiful  in  America. 

Some  little  idea  of  it  may  be  formed  from  the  following  extracts  of  a  letter, 
written  from  New  York  to  London,  dated  Dec.  20,  1779.  The  writer  says  : — 
"  The  physician,  (the  English  fleet  physician,)  had  removed  all  the  sick  seamen 
from  that  large  house  of  Livingston's,  on  Long  Island,  and  had  sent  them  to 
barns,  stables,  and  other  holes,  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  turned  the  great  house 
into  a  palace  for  himself,  the  surgeon  and  his  assistants.  This  house  was  capa- 
ble of  accommodating  four  hundred  sick."  "The  hospital  was  changed  into  a 
house  of  feasting  ;  nothing  was  to  be  seen  but  grand  public  dinners.  These  hal- 
cyon days  went  on  till  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Arbuthnot.  The  manifest  bad 
conduct  at  the  hospital  prevented  many  of  the  captains  from  sending  their  sick 
men  to  it  ;  and  when  Admiral  Arbuthnot  arrived,  they  went  to  him  open  mouth- 
ed with  complaints."  On  this  the  admiral  determined  to  examine  the  matter. 
After  surveying  the  sick,  he  went  to  the  house.  "  What  with  paint  and  paper, 
the  great  house  appeared  in  high  taste,  very  elegant  indeed.  The  two  hospital 
commanders  met  him  at  the  door,  and  introduced  him  Into  the  grandest  apart- 
ment. The  Admiral  stared  about  him,  and  asked  who  these  apartments  belong- 
ed to  ?  Their  answer  was,  "  to  the  physician  and  surgeon."  "  A  palace,"  said 
the  Admiral,  swearing  an  oath.  The  result  was,  he  turned  them  both  out  of 
office,  and  brought  the  sick  sailors  Into  the  house  again. 

Note  5,  page  3. 
LONG  ISLAND, 

May  be  described  as  the  South  Easterly  portion  of  the  State  of  New  York  ; 
it  extends  from  Fort  Hamilton  at  the  Xarrotrs  to  Moiitauk  Point,  a  distance  of 
about  one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  Its  breadth,  as  far  east  as  Peconic  Bay,  va- 
ries from  twelve  to  twenty  miles,  in  a  distance  of  90  miles.  It  is  divided  into 
three  counties,  Kings,  Queens  and  Suffolk.  It  contained  in  1840,  110,406  in- 
habitants. The  estimated  area  of  the  whole,  is  1500  square  miles,  or  960,000 
acres. 


34 


.33 


It  is  supposed  that  Long  Island  wns  once  part  of  the  continent,  separated  from 
it,  by  the  waters  of  the  Sound  breaking  through  at  the  nnrrow  strait  of  Hellgate, 
to  New  York  Bay.  The  Indians  have  a  tradition,  that  their  fathers  passed  this 
strait  dry  shod,  by  stepping  from  rock  to  rock. ---Gordon'n  lltsturij  of  .Yew  York. 

Xote  6,  page  5. 
RONCONCOA  LAKE. 

Among  the  natural  curiosities  of  Long  Island  will  always  be  ranked  by  those 
who  are  acquainted  with  that  Island  throughout  its  length,  that  beautiful  sheet 
of  water,  known  as  '•  Ronconcoa  Lake  ;"  which  is  situated  about  an  equal  dis- 
tance between  the  West  end  of  the  Island  and  Montauk  Point,  and  also  about  half 
way  between  the  Sound  and  the  shore  of  the  Atlantic.  It  is  nearly  circular,  and 
if  it  was  upon  elevated  ground,  and  in  a  volcanic  district,  it  would  have  very 
much  the  appearance  of  the  crater  of  an  extinct  volcano.  For  a  long  time  it 
was  believed  to  be  unfathomable,  but  it  has  been  sounded  in  some  parts  ;  the 
depth  is  however  surprisingly  great  considering  the  situation. 

Its  great,  and  supposed  unfathomable  depth,  together  with  an  ebb  and  flow  ob- 
served in  its  waters  at  different  periods,  had  early  made  it  the  theme  of  Indian 
story  and  tradition.  They  regarded  it  with  a  species  of  superstitious  veneration, 
and  although  it  abounded  in  a  variety  of  fish,  (and  still  does  so,)  they  at  the  early 
settlement  of  the  country  by  the  white  men,  refused  to  eat  the  fish  ;  regarding 
them  as  superior  beings,  and  believing  that  they  were  specially  placed  there  by 
the  Great  Spirit. 

This  interesting  lake  is  about  three  miles  in  circumference,  and  its  shores  con- 
sist of  small  white  pebbles  and  sand  ;  in  which  respect  it  differs  from  any  other 
of  the  lakes  in  this  State.  Another  peculiarity  about  it,  is,  that,  a  part  of  it  is 
claimed  by  four  towns,  viz  :  Smithtown,  Setauket,  IslTp,  and  Patchogue  ;  it  ly- 
ing upon  the  boundary  line  which  divides  them. 

It  is  but  a  few  years  since  this  lake  became  known  to  tourists  and  travellers 
for  pleasure  generally,  (although  it  has  long  been  known  to  a  few  admirers  of 
nature's  beauties,)  and  it  now  comes  upon  the  public  notice  with  all  the  disadvan- 
tages resulting  from  a  comparison  with  the  better  known  and  more  boasted  beau- 
ties of  the  Northern  and  Western  lakes,  yet  we  doubt  whether  any  have  visited 
it  with  a  true  taste  for  the  beautiful  and  lovely  in  the  works  of  Nature,  who  have 
come  away  disappointed,  and  who  have  not  felt  their  anticipations  fully  realized. 
Those  who  go  there  must  not  expect  to  see  any  thing  of  the  sublime  or  grand, 
as  it  is  commonly  understood,  but  if  they  can  be  pleased  with  a  most  lovely 
placid  scene,  they  will  enjoy  their  pleasure  to  its  fullest  bent. 


93 


31 


NOTES. 


Xote  7,  page  6. 

HEMPSTEAD  PLAINS, 

Of  which  the  plain  before  mentioned  is  part,  have  been  considered  a  great  na- 
tural curiosity,  from  the  first  discovery  of  the  country.  To  look  over  such  a 
great  extent  of  land  without  observing  a  sensible  elevation  in  any  part,  to  relieve 
the  eye,  until  the  horizon  meets  the  level,  appears  like  looking  over  the  ocean  ; 
and  this  is  greatly  strengthened  from  the  circumstance,  that  there  is  not  a  tree 
growing  naturally  upon  the  whole  region  ;  a  few  scattered  clumps  upon  the  bor- 
ders of  the  plain,  whose  tops  are  just  visible  above  the  surface,  in  the  distance,  are 
precisely  like  small  islands.  In  the  summer  the  rarefaction  of  the  air  over  so 
large  a  surface,  exposed  to  the  Sun's  hot  rays,  occasions  the  phenomena  of 
"  looming,"  as  seen  in  the  harbors  near  the  sea,  which  elevating  these  tree  tops, 
as  a  mass,  and  causing  the  surrounding  soil,  shrouded  in  a  thin  and  almost  trans- 
parent vapor,  to  look  like  water,  makes  the  deception  complete. 

There  has  scarcely  a  traveller  of  any  note  visited  this  part  of  North  America, 
who  does  not  mention  these  plains,  and  regard  them  worthy  of  description.  The 
Rev.  A.  Buniaby,  who  travelled  through  the  Middle  Colonies  in  1759,  visited 
them  in  July  of  that  year.  He  describes  them  as  "  between  twenty  and  thirty 
miles  long,  and  four  or  live  miles  broad  ;  and  says  there  was  not  a  tree  then 
growing  upon  them,  and  it  is  asserted  (says  he)  that  there  never  were  any." 
That  there  should  never  have  been  any  trees  upon  this  large  tract  may  appear 
strange  to  us,  but  it  is  not  a  solitary  instance  of  such  a  want,  even  upon  this 
Island.  The  "  Shinnecock  Hills,"  (so  named  after  a  tribe  of  Indians  now  ex- 
tinct,) near  Southampton,  have  never  had  a  tree  upon  them  from  the  fust  disco  v- 
ry  of  the  Island  to  this  day,  although  the  surrounding  country  is  well  wooded. 

Mr.  Burnaby  also  speaks  of  the  great  interest  manifested  by  the  inhabitants  of 
New  York,  at  that  period,  almost  one  hundred  years  ago,  in  reference  to  tins 
interesting  spot,  r//e  riains,  and  observes,  that  "  strangers  are  always  carried  to 
see  this  place,  as  a  great  curiosity,  and  the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  Xorth  Ameri- 
ca." This  last  remark,  which  now  appears  singular  to  us,  was  then  true,  in  re- 
ference to  the  knowledge  possessed  of  the  interior  of  this  Continent  ;  the  im- 
mense plains,  and  prairies  of  the  "  par  West,"  were  then  unknown,  unless  it 
might  be  to  a  very  few  of  the  most  adventurous  of  the  Indian  traders,  who  them- 
selves had  little  or  no  intercourse  with  the  sea  board. 

The  North  American  Gazetteer,  12mo.  London,  177(5,  after  mentioning  these 
plains,  and  describing  them  much  in  the  same  manner  with  Mr.  IJurnaby,  states, 
that  the  whole  region  is  "  without  a  stick  or  stone  upon  it."  This  is  literally 
true,  the  only  stones  found  in  the  tract  are  coarse,  sea  washed  gravel,  having 
very  much  the  appearance  as  if  it  had  once  been  the  bed  of  a  large  lake  or  a 
shallow  bay  putting  up  from  the  ocean.  So  entirely  bare  of  stone  is  the 
country  about  this  vicinity  for  numbers  of  miles  in  extent,  that  the  inhabitants 

5Q 


NOTES. 


35 


are  obliged  to  resort  for  their  building  stone  to  the  ridge  of  hills  which  run 
through  the  centre  of  the  Island,  commonly  known  ns  "  the  Back-bone." 

It  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  this  work  thnt  horse  races  were  run  upon  those 
plains  as  early  as  1C70.  They  continued  without  interruption  from  that  early 
period  until  the  revolutionary  contest,  and  in  the  year  1775,  these  plains  were 
celebrated  for  their  horse  races  throughout  all  the  North  American  Colonies,  and 
even  in  England.  These  races  were  held  twice  a  year  for  a  silver  cup  ;  "  to 
which,  (says  the  North  American  Gazetteer,  London,  1776,)  the  gentry  of  New 
England  and  New  York  resorted."  This  race  course  was  known  as  the  "  New 
Market  Course,"  after  the  celebrated  one  of  that  name  in  England,  and  continu- 
ed to  be  used  through  the  revolution,  and  for  a  long  period  subsequently. 

The  revolutionary  contest  which  caused  so  much  misery  and  distress  through- 
out the  continent  generally,  seems  to  have  made  that  portion  of  Long  Island 
within  the  control  of  the  British  forces  a  scene  of  almost  continued  amusement. 
They  then  had  the  control  of  New  York,  Kings  County,  Queens  County,  and 
about  half  of  Suffolk  County.  There  were  two  British  regiments  in  Brooklyn 
during  the  whole  war,  and  several  companies,  and  parts  of  regiments  posted  in 
the  differenti^pwns  through  the  Island ;  and  the  wasrgon  train,  and  blacksmith 
and  armory  department  of  the  British  army  were  located  in  Brooklyn.  These 
circumstances,  together  with  the  large  garrison  in  the  city  of  New  York,  caused 
this  Island  to  be  much  resorted  to  by  the  officers  and  fashionables  of  the  day,  for 
sporting.  In  the  Royal  Gazette  of  August  8th,  1781,  printed  in  New  York, 
Charles  Loosley  advertises  a  lottery  of  $12,500,  to  be  drawn  at  "  Brooklyn  Hall." 
The  same  paper  contains  the  following  curious  advertisement,  relating  to  the 
eports  and  amusements  of  that  day. 

"  Pro  Bono  Publico. — Gentlemen  that  are  fond  of  fox  hunting,  are  requested 
to  meet  at  Loosley's  Tavern,  on  Ascot  Heath,  on  Friday  morning  next  between 
the  hours  of  five  and  six,  as  a  pack  of  hounds  will  be  there  purposely  for  a  trial 
of  their  abilities.  Breakfasting  and  relishes  until  the  races  commence.  At 
eleven  o'clock  will  be  run  for,  an  elegant  saddle,  &.c,  value  at  least  twenty 
pounds,  for  which  upwards  of  twelve  gentlemen  will  ride  their  own  horses.  At 
twelve,  a  match  will  be  rode  by  two  gentlemen,  horse  for  horse.  At  one,  a  match 
for  thirty  guineas,  by  two  gentlemen,  who  will  ride  their  own  horses. 

Dinner  will  be  ready  at  two  o'clock  ;  after  which,  and  suitable  regalements, 
racing  and  other  diversions,  will  be  calculated  to  conclude  the  day  with  pleasure 
and  harmony.    Brooklyn  Hall,  Gth,  August,  1781." 

What  a  bill  is  here  for  the  amusements  of  a  single  day  !  and  yet  this  was  far 
from  being  uncommon  or  extraordinary  at  that  period.  Of  course  there  must 
have  been  a  very  large  amount  of  wealth  circulated  by  the  British  officers  in 
leading  such  a  continued  train  of  pleasure  and  sporting.  We  are  not  left  to  in- 
ference on  this  point  ;  all  who  speak  of  this  part  of  America  during  that  period, 
mention  such  to  be  the  fact. 

Lieut.  Auberry,  in  a  letter  from  New  York  to  a  friend  in  England,  dated 
October  30th,  1781,  observes  : — 


36 


NOTES. 


"  On  crossing  the  East  River  from  New  York,  you  land  at  Brooklyn,  which  is 
a  scattered  village,  consisting  of  a  few  houses.  At  this  place  is  an  excellent 
tavern,  where  parties  are  made  to  go  and  eat  fish  ;  the  landlord  of  which  has  sav- 
ed an  immense  fortune  this  war." 

The  tavern  referred  to  in  the  preceding  advertisement  and  letter,  was  a  large, 
gloomy,  old  fashioned  stone  building,  standing  on  the  north  side  of  Fulton  street, 
one  door  West  of  the  corner  of  Fulton  and  Front  streets  ;  the  property  of  the 
Corporation  of  New  York,  and  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1813.  It  was  occupied 
as  a  Tavern  up  to  the  day  it  was  burnt. 

The  "  Hempstead  Plains,"  as  they  are  termed,  are  now  estimated  to  contain 
about  seventeen  thousand  acres  of  unenclosed  land,  which  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Hempstead  own  in  common.  The  village  of  Hempstead  is  situated  on 
the  southern  margin  of  this  great  level.  From  the  first  settlement  of  the  country 
until  within  about  the  last  thirty  years,  it  was  universally  believed,  that  this  great 
tract  of  land  could  never  be  cultivated — that  if  turned  up  by  the  plough  it  was  so 
porous,  the  water  would  at  once  run  through  it,  and  leave  the  vegetation  on  the 
surface  to  perish  from  drought — that  nothing  would  grow  upon  it  but  the  tall 
coarse  grass  which  seems  a  native  of  that  region.  This  belief  continued  it  seems 
even  without  an  attempt  to  test  its  accuracy  by  experiment,  until  within  the 
present  century  ;  when  some  persons  who  were  in  want  of  more  land  than  they 
possessed,  gradually  took  in  small  portions  adjoining  them,  and  submitted  it  to  a 
course  of  cultivation.  To  their  surprise  it  not  only  answered  for  grass,  but  for 
grain,  and  would  also  support  a  growth  of  trees,  if  they  were  only  introduced 
upon  it.  This  discovery  led  to  the  taking  in  and  enclosing  of  whole  farms,  the 
people  regarding  it  as  a  kind  of  waste  land  in  which  no  one  had  so  good  a  title 
as  he  who  took  possession  and  cultivated  it,  which  opened  the  eyes  of  the  good 
people  of  Hempstead  to  the  fact  that  their  great  plains,  which  were  before  es- 
teemed of  no  value  except  to  graze  a  few  cattle,  and  feed  half  wild  Turkeys, 
(which  last,  by  the  way,  are  the  best  of  the  turkey  kind  our  country  affords,) 
were  truly  valuable  as  farms  ;  and  they  accordingly  took  measures  to  preserve 
their  common  rights  in  what  remained  of  this  great  tract, — and  the  time  is  pro- 
bably not  very  far  distant,  when  the  traveller  will  ask  with  surprise  what  has  be- 
come of  this  extensive  region  of  barren  land,  which  was  so  long  considered  one 
of  the  wonders  of  the  North  American  Continent  ;  and  will  scarcely  believe  that 
his  eye  is  traversing  the  same  extent  when  it  is  directed  to  those  highly  cultiva- 
ted fields,  and  beautiful  grass  meadows,  which  will  occupy  its  site. 

Note  8,  page  7. 
INDIANS. 

At  the  first  settlement  of  the  white  inhabitants  there  was  a  very  numerous 
Indian  population  on  Long  Island,  as  is  evident  from  the  large  portion  of  his 
work,  which  Denton  devotes  to  describing  their  manners  and  customs.    We  have 

38 


NOTES. 


37 


preserved  the  nunM  of  thirteen  of  their  tribes.  At  vnrious  periods  discoveries 
have  been  made  of  the  remains  nnd  relies  of  these  extinct  aborigines.  On  dig- 
ging a  few  feet  below  the  surface,  at  the  Narrows,  in  Kings  County,  some  years 
ago,  more  than  a  waggon  load  of  Indian  stone  arrow-heads  were  discovered 
lying  together,  under  circumstances  calculated  to  induce  the  belief  that  a  large 
manufactory  of  these  article  once  existed  at  this  place  ;  they  were  of  all  sizes', 
from  one  to  six  inches  long,  some  perfect,  others  partly  finished.  There  were 
also  a  number  of  blocks  of  the  same  kind  of  stone  found  in  the  rough  state  as 
when  brought  from  the  quarry  ;  they  had  the  appearance  of  ordinary  flint,  and 
were  nearly  as  hard  ;  not  only  arrow-heads,  but  axes  and  other  articles  of  do- 
mestic use,  were  made  from  these  stones. 

In  the  same  county  the  most  powerful  and  extensive  tribe  was  the  Canaree 
Indians  ;  a  small  tribe  called  the  Nyack  Indians  was  settled  at  the  Narrows.  The 
old  Dutch  inhabitants  of  this  county  had  a  tradition,  that  the  Cnnarse  tribe  was 
subject  to  the  Mohawks  ;  (as  all  the  Iroquois,  or  Six  Nations,  were  formerly 
called  on  Long  Island  ;)  and  paid  them  an  annual  tribute  of  dried  clams  and 
wampum.  After  the  white  settlement  in  this  county,  some  persons  persuaded 
the  Carnases  to  keep  back  the  tribute  ;  in  consequence  of  which  a  party  of  the 
Mohawk  Indians  came  down  the  Hudson  River  from  their  village,  a  little  South 
of  Albany,  and  killed  their  tributaries  wherever  they  met  them.  The  Canarse 
Indians  are  now  totally  extinct. 

In  Queens  County,  the  Rockaway,  Merrikoke,  and  Marsapeague  tribes  of 
Indians  were  settled  on  the  South  side,  and  the  Matinecoe  tribe  on  the  North 
side.  In  this  county  about  the  year  1C54,  a  battle  was  fought  between  the 
English  under  Capt.  John  Underhill,  and  the  Indians,  in  which  the  latter  were 
defeated  with  considerable  loss.  This  was  the  only  contest  of  any  importance 
between  the  white  men  and  the  Indians  on  Long  Island,  of  which  we  have  any 
account.* 

About  thirty  miles  from  Brooklyn,  and  midway  between  the  North  and  South 
sides  of  this  Island,  is  a  hill  known  as  Manett,  or  Mnnctta  hill.  This  is  a  cor- 
ruption of  the  true  name,  which  was  Manitnu  hill,  or  the  hill  of  the  Great  Spirit. 
Which  appellation  is  founded  on  the  tradition  that  many  ages  since  the  Abori- 
gines residing  in  those  parts  suffered  extremely  from  the  want  of  water.  Under 
their  sufferings  they  offered  up  prayers  to  the  Great  Spirit  for  relief.  That  in 
reply  to  their  supplications,  the  Good  Spirit  directed  that  their  principal  Chieftain 
should  shoot  his  arrow  in  the  air,  and  on  the  spot  where  it  fell  they  should  dig, 
and  would  assuredly  discover  the  element  they  so  much  desired.  They  pursued 
the  direction,  dug,  and  found  water.  There  is  now  a  well  situated  on  this  rising 
ground  ;  and  the  tradition  continues  to  say,  that  this  well  is  on  the  very  spot 


*  The  remains  of  the  Fort  erected  by  the  Indians  in  lfi53.  and  which  they  occupied  pre- 
vious to  this  battle,  are  yet  to  be  seen  on  Fort  Neck.  This  neck  of  land  derives  its  name 
from  thai  fortification. 

59 


38 


NOTES. 


indicated  by  the  Good  Spirit.  This  hill  was  undoubtedly  used  in  ancient  times 
as  the  place  of  general  offering  to  the  Great  Spirit  in  the  name  and  behalf  of 
all  the  surrounding  people,  and  was  of  the  character  of  the  hill  altars  so  common 
among  the  early  nations.  It  is  from  this  circumstance  that  the  name  was  pro- 
bably derived. 

In  Suffolk  County  were  the  Nissaquage,  Setauket,  Corchaug,  Secataug, 
Patchogue,  Shinnecoc,  and  Montauk  tribes  of  Indians.  The  Manhanset  tribe 
was  on  Shelter  Island.  These  tribes  have  all  disappeared  except  a  few  individu- 
als of  the  Montauk  and  Shinnecoc  tribes. 

Much  was  done  at  various  periods  towards  the  civilization  of  the  Indians  on 
this  Island,  by  sending  Missionaries  and  teachers  to  reside  among  them,  and  by 
instructing  them  in  the  art  of  cultivating  the  soil.  In  1741,  Rev.  Azariah  Hor- 
ton  was  on  the  "  Mission  to  the  Long  Island  Indians,"  and  he  describes  the 
situation  of  those  Indians  at  that  period,  August,  1741,  to  be  as  follows  : — "  At 
the  East  end  of  the  Island  there  are  two  small  towns  of  the  Indians  ;  and  from 
the  East  to  the  West  end  of  the  Island,  lesser  companies  settled  at  a  few  miles 
distance  from  one  another,  for  the  length  of  above  one  hundred  miles."  At  his 
first  coming  among  them,  he  says  he  was  "  well  received  by  the  most,  and 
heartily  welcomed  by  some  of  them  ; — they  at  the  East  end  of  the  Island  espe- 
cially, gave  diligent  and  serious  attention  to  Iiis  instructions."  Mr.  Horton 
states  that  he  baptized  thirty-five  adults  and  forty-four  children  among  these 
Indians.  "  He  took  pains  with  them  to  learn  them  to  read  ;  and  some  of  them 
have  made  considerable  proficiency."  This  was  during  the  first  year  of  hia 
residence  among  them,  but  in  the  account  he  gave  in  the  early  part  of  1743,  he 
complains  heavily  "  of  a  great  defection  of  some  of  them,  from  their  first  Refor- 
mation and  care  of  their  souls,  occasioned  by  strong  drink — a  vice  (he  says)  to 
which  the  Indians  are  every  where  so  greatly  addicted,  and  so  vehemently  dis- 
posed, that  nothing  but  the  power  of  Divine  Grace  can  restrain  that  impetuous 
lust,  when  they  have  an  opportunity  to  gratify  it." 

This  was  the  history  of  every  attempt  to  meliorate  the  condition  of  these  poor 
tribes.  So  long  as  they  were  in  the  course  of  instruction,  and  every  thing  was 
done  for  them,  or  they  were  assisted  in  doing  matters  in  order  to  learn  them,  things 
went  on  well  ;  but  the  moment  they  were  left  to  themselves  to  put  in  practice 
the  instructions  they  had  received,  in  governing  their  own  towns,  in  conducting 
their  own  church  service,  teaching  their  own  schools,  and  in  cultivating  their 
own  fields,  they  began  to  retrograde  ; — the  benefits  which  they  had  received 
were  not  communicated  by  them  to  their  children  ;  and  of  course  the  next  gene- 
ration were  almost  as  much  of  savages,  as  their  fathers  were  before  I  he  advan- 
tages of  civilization  were  introduced  among  them.  Notwithstanding  these 
discouraging  circumstances,  oft  repeated  attempts  were  made  to  induce  the 
remnants  of  these  Aborigines  to  adopt  the  habits  and  practices  of  civilized  life, 
and  with  but  partial  success  ; — laws  were  enacted  by  the  State  Legislature  to 
facilitate  these  benevolent  efforts,  and  to  prevent  trespasses  upon  the  lands  of  the 
Indians.    It  seems  to  have  been  impossible  to  satisfy  the  aboriginal  inhabitants 

60 


NOTES. 


39 


of  this  island  of  the  value  of  education,  or  to  convince  them  that  it  was  not 
rather  a  disadvantage  for  them  to  posses  it.  This  trait  is  not  however,  peculiar 
to  the  Indians  of  Long  Island,  it  is  now  found  in  full  operation  in  the  minds  of 
great  numbers  of  the  Aborigines  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  is  a  most  serious 
bar  to  their  advancement  in  civilized  life.  They  esteem  their  own  education, 
(if  it  may  be  so  called,)  as  immensely  superior  to  that  which  we  offer  them,  for 
the  life  which  they  lead,  and  which  they  desire  to  continue  to  lead  ;  and  look 
upon  the  learning  and  knowledge  which  we  tender  to  them  as  only  calculated  to 
be  of  use  to  the  while  men.  Nothing  effectual  can  be  done  towards  civilizing 
and  instructing  the  Indians  until  they  truly  become  cultivators  of  the  soil  for  a  sub- 
sistence,— until  they  look  to  the  grain  which  they  raise,  and  to  the  cattle  and  stock 
which  they  rear  for  a  living,  in  place  of  seeking  it  in  the  chase,  and  in  fishing 
upon  the  lakes  and  rivers.  The  moment  they  become  truly  fixed  to  the  soil, 
(and  that  will  probably  not  be  until  after  one  generation  of  cultivators  shall  have 
passed  away,)  they  will  see  and  feel  the  necessity  of  knowledge,  and  will  then  of 
their  own  motion  seek  for  it  ; — until  that  lime  arrives  it  is  thrown  away, — they 
place  no  value  on  it, — they  on  the  contrary  esteem  it  an  impediment  to  the  course 
of  life  on  which  they  depend  for  the  means  of  existence. 

In  order  to  promote  friendship  and  a  future  good  understanding  between  the 
Indians  and  the  white  settlers,  on  the  3d  day  of  .March,  1702-3,  they  respectively 
entered  into  a  written  agreement  with  each  other ;  settling  all  differences,  and 
declaring  what  belonged  to  the  Indians,  and  what  to  the  whites. 

Under  this  agreement  they  continued  to  live  in  peace  with  each  other  until 
some  sime  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  when  the  Indians  began  to 
imagine  that  their  ancestors  had  not  sold  to  the  white  proprietors,  in  1702-3  and 
previously,  all  the  lands  they  were  at  this  period  (about  1787)  in  possession  of. 
This  idea  becoming  strengthened,  the  Indians  turned  their  cattle  into  some  of  the 
fenced  fields  of  the  white  people,  which  caused  their  impounding  ;  and  this  in 
the  eyes  of  the  Indians  became  a  serious  grievance,  of  which  they  complained 
to  the  State  Legislature  in  the  spring  of  1807.  And  April  6th  of  that  year,  an 
act  was  passed  directing  the  appointment  of  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  John  Smith, 
and  Nicoll  Floyd,  as  Commissioners  to  enquire  into  these  grievance,  and  to  make 
such  arrangements  as  they  should  judge  equitable,  for  the  future  improvement  of 
the  lands  at  Montauk  by  those  Indians. 

These  Commissioners  made  their  Report  to  the  New  York  Legislature  on  the 
30th  of  January,  1808, — from  which  it  appears  that  the  Indians  were  in  error  in 
believing  that  their  ancestors  had  not  conveyed  to  the  white  proprietors  all  the 
lands  they  were  then  in  possession  of;  and  they  also  appended  to  their  report, 
the  original  agreement  which  was  made  between  the  Indians  and  the  whites  oo 
the  3d  of  March,  1702-3,  for  the  settling  of  all  differences — which  the  Legislature 
ordered  to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State.  By  their  report  the 
Commissioners  state  that  "  the  uneasiness  of  the  Indians,  in  respect  to  their  rights 
to  land  on  Montauk,  has  been  occasioned  principally  by  strangers  (not  inhabitants 
of  this  State,)  who,  for  a  number  of  years  past,  have  made  a  practice  of  visiting 

01 


40  NOTES. 


them,  and  have  received  from  them  produce  and  obligations  for  money,  for  coun- 
cil and  advice,  and  their  engagements  to  assist  them  in  respect  to  their  claims  to 
lands  on  Montauk,  other  than  those  they  now  hold  by  the  aforesaid  agreement." 
"  The  neck  of  land  they  (the  Indians)  live  on,  contains  about  one  thousand  acrea 
of  the  first  quality,  on  which,  by  the  aforesaid  agreement,  they  have  a  right  to 
plant  Indian  com  without  restriction,  as  to  the  number  of  acres,  besides  improv- 
ing thirty  acres  for  wheat  or  grass  ;  to  keep  two  hundred  and  fifty  swine,  great 
and  small,  and  fifty  horse  kind  and  neat  cattle,  and  to  get  hay  to  winter  them. 
They  now  enjoy  privileges  equal  with  their  ancestors,  since  the  date  of  the  said 
agreement,  although  their  numbers  have  greatly  diminished,  and,  in  the  opinion 
of  your  Commissioners,  there  is  no  necessity  of  any  further  legislative  interference 
respecting  them." 

In  lblb'  the  Montauks  were  the  only  tribe  that  remained  on  the  Island,  which 
preserved  its  distinctive  character.  During  that  year  Governor  Tompkins,  at  the 
request  of  the  Montauk  Indians,  appointed  Richard  Hubbel  and  Isaac  Keeler  Esqrs. 
Commissioners  to  enquire  into  the  trespasses  committed  on  their  property,  and  as 
far  as  practicable,  to  have  them  redressed.  In  their  report,  the  Commissioners  state, 
(speaking  of  the  number  and  condition  of  the  tribe,)  "  about  fifty  families,  consist- 
ing of  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  persons,  men,  women,  and  children,  inhabit 
said  point — that  fourteen  of  the  women  are  widows — and  that  they  live  in  about 
thirty  huts,  or  wigwams,  nearly  in  the  same  style  as  Indians  have  for  centuries 
past."  These  Indians  obtained  their  living  principally  from  the  sea,  although 
they  tilled  some  land  for  raising  corn,  beans,  and  potatoes  in  small  patches  or 
lots.  They  were  in  possession  of  about  five  hundred  acres  of  land  of  the  best 
quality.  They  kept  cows,  swine,  poultry,  one  horse  and  one  pair  of  oxen.  Their 
land  through  bad  tillage  was  unproductive.  Civilization  and  education  were  then, 
according  to  the  Commissioners'  report,  much  on  the  decline,  and  their  house  of 
worship,  which  was  formerly  in  a  flourishing  state,  was  then  going  to  ruin.  The 
elder  Indians  had  learning  sufficient  to  read  and  write,  but  the  children  were 
brought  up  in  a  savage  state.  The  only  other  remains  of  the  Eastern  Long 
Island  tribes  were  a  few  individuals  of  the  Shinnecoc  tribe,  and  some  few  others, 
whose  tribes  are  not  distinguished.  At  this  period,  and  for  some  time  subsequent, 
the  young  men  among  these  Indian  tribes  were  accustomed  to  go  out  as  sailors  in 
the  whaling  ships  from  Saggharbor. 

These  Indians  have  now  almost  entirely  disappeared  from  the  face  of  the 
earth.  In  1629  the  Montauk  Indians  had  dwindled  away  to  five  or  six  families. 
When  they  took  care  of  themselves,  and  were  clean,  they  were  a  remarkably 
good  looking  race  of  Indians,  and  some  of  their  females  were  very  handsome 
women.  The  royal  family  of  the  Montauks  were  distinguished  among  the  Eng- 
lish, by  the  name  of  Faro.    The  last  of  the  family,  a  female,  died  about  1825. 

Canoe  place,  on  the  South  side  of  Long  Island,  near  Southampton,  derives  its 
name  from  the  fact,  that  more  than  two  centuries  ago,  a  canal  was  made  there 
by  the  Indians,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  their  canoes  from  one  bay  to  the  other, 
(that  is  across  the  Island,  from  Mecox  bay  to  Peconic  bay.)    Although  the  trench 

62 


NOTES. 


11 


has  been  in  a  great  measure  filled  up,  yet  its  remains  are  still  visible,  and  partly 
flowed  at  high  water.  It  was  constructed  by  Jlonsnturkser,  (or  long  knife,)  who 
then  reigned  over  the  nation  of  Montauk.  Although  that  nation  has  now  dwindled 
to  a  few  miserable  remnants  of  a  powerful  race,  who  still  linger  on  the  lands  which 
was  once  the  seat  of  their  proud  dominion,  yet  their  traditional  history  is  replete 
with  all  those  tragical  incidents  which  usually  accompany  the  fall  of  power.  It 
informs  us,  that  their  chief  was  of  gigantic  form — proud  and  despotic  in  peace 
and  terrible  in  war.  But  although  a  tyrant  of  his  people,  yet  he  protected  them 
from  their  enemies,  and  commanded  their  respect  for  his  savage  virtues.  The 
praises  of  Mongtitucksre  are  still  chaunted  in  aboriginal  verse,  to  the  winds  that 
howl  around  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  island.  The  Narragansetts  and  the 
Mohocks  yielded  to  his  prowess,  and  the  ancestors  of  the  last  of  the  Mohiccana 
trembled  at  the  expression  of  his  anger.  He  sustained  his  power  not  less  by  the 
resources  of  his  mind  than  by  the  vigor  of  his  arm.  An  ever  watchful  policy  guided 
his  councils.  Prepared  for  every  exigency,  not  even  aboriginal  sagacity  could 
aurprise  his  caution.  To  facilitate  communication  around  the  seat  of  his  do- 
minion,— for  the  purpose  not  only  of  defence  but  of  annoyance,  he  constructed 
this  canal,  which  remains  a  monument  of  his  genius,  while  other  traces  of  his 
skill  and  prowess  are  lost  in  oblivion,  and  even  the  nation  whose  valor  he  led, 
may  soon  furnish  for  our  country  a  topic  in  contemplating  the  fallen  greatness  of 
the  last  of  the  Montauks. 

The  strong  attachment  and  veneration  which  the  Montauk  Indians  had  for 
their  Chief  is  evidenced  by  the  following  fact.  Within  a  short  distance  of  Sagg- 
harbor,  in  the  forest,  is  a  shallow  excavation  which  these  Indians  were  formerly 
very  particular  in  keeping  clean  ;  each  one  in  passing,  stopped  to  clean  it  out,  of 
any  dirt  or  leaves  which  may  have  fallen  into  it.  The  reason  they  gave  for  so 
doing,  was,  that  a  long  time  ago  a  Montauk  Chief  having  died  at  Shinnecoc,  the 
Indians  brought  him  from  that  place  to  Ammagansett  to  be  interred,  in  the  usual 
burying  place  ;  and  during  their  journey,  they  stopped  to  rest,  and  placed  the 
body  of  their  dead  Chieftain  in  that  excavation  during  the  meanwhile  ; — in  con- 
sequence of  which  the  spot  had  acquired  a  species  of  sacred  character. 

After  the  death  of  Mongotucksee,  the  Montauks  were  subjugated  by  the  Iro- 
quois or  Six  Nations,  and  became  their  tributaries,  as  indeed  did  the  most,  if  not 
all  of  the  Indian  tribes  on  Long  Island.  On  the  authority  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bas- 
sett,  the  Dutch  Reformed  minister  at  Bushwick,  Long  Island,  about  1823,  and 
who  was  previously  a  minister  of  that  Church  in  Albany,  it  is  said  that  the  Mon- 
tauk Indians  paid  a  tribute  to  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  ;  and  that  the  Consis- 
tory of  the  Dutch  Church  at  Albany,  in  their  desire  to  preserve  peace  between  the 
Indian  tribes,  were  formerly  the  means  through  which  this  tribute  passed  from  one 
to  the  other.  Wampum,  or  Indian  money,  and  dried  clams  were  the  payments 
in  which  this  tribute  was  made. 

It  may  not  be  a  little  singular  to  some  to  be  told  that  the  best  Wampum, 
formed  of  the  heart  of  the  shell  of  the  common  hard  clam,  is  at  this  day  manu- 
factured on  Long  bland ;  to  be  sent  to  the  Indians  in  the  Western  States  and 

63 


42 


N0TE3. 


Territories,  for  the  purpose  both  of  a  circulating  medium,  and  of  Conventions 
and  Treaties.  In  the  summer  of  1831,  several  bushels  of  Wampum  were 
brought  from  Babylon  on  this  Island  ;  and  the  person  who  had  them,  stated  that 
he  had  procured  them  for  an  Indian  trader,  and  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  sup- 
plying  those  traders  with  this  Wampum. 

Note  9,  page  8. 
WAMPUM. 

The  first  money  in  use  in  New-York,  then  New-Netherlands,  and  also  in 
New-England,  was  Seairant,  Wampum,  or  Peague,  for  it  was  known  by  all 
those  names.  Seawant  was  the  generic  name  of  this  Indian  money,  of  which 
there  were  two  kinds ;  xrompam,  (commonly  called  wampum,)  which  signifies 
white,  and  snckanhock,  sucki  signifying  black.  Wampum,  or  wampum-peague, 
or  simply,  peague,  was  also  understood,  although  improperly,  among  the  Dutch 
and  English,  as  expressive  of  the  generic  denomination,  and  in  that  light  was 
nsed  by  them  in  their  writings  and  public  documents.  Wampum,  or  white 
money,  was  originally  made  from  the  stem  or  stock  of  the  metean-hock,  or  perri- 
winkle  ;  guckanhock,  or  black  money,  was  manufactured  from  the  inside  of  the 
shell  of  the  quahaug,  (Venus  Mercenaria,)  commonly  called  the  hard  clam,  a 
round  thick  shellfish  that  buries  itself  a  little  way  in  the  sand  in  salt-water. 
The  Indians  broke  off  about  half  an  inch  of  the  purple  colour  of  the  inside,  and 
converted  it  into  beads.  These  before  the  introduction  of  awls  and  thread,  were 
bored  with  sharp  stones,  and  strung  upon  the  sinews  of  animals,  and  when  inter- 
woven to  the  breadth  of  the  hand,  more  or  less,  were  called  a  belt  of  seawant,  or 
wampum.  A  black  bead,  of  the  size  of  a  large  straw,  about  one-third  of  an  inch 
long,  bored  longitudinally  and  well  polished,  was  the  gold  of  the  Indians,  and 
always  esteemed  of  twice  the  value  of  the  white  ;  but  either  species  was  consi- 
dered by  them,  of  much  more  value  than  European  coin.  An  Indian  chief,  to 
whom  the  value  of  a  rix  dollar  was  explained  by  the  first  clergyman  of  Rensse- 
laerwyck,  laughed  exceedingly  to  think  the  Dutch  should  set  so  high  a  value 
npon  a  piece  of  iron,  as  he  termed  the  dollar.  Three  beads  of  black,  and  six  of 
white,  were  equivalent,  among  the  English,  to  a  penny,  and  among  the  Dutch, 
to  a  stuyver.  But  with  the  latter  the  equivalent  number  sometimes  varied  from 
three  and  six,  to  four  and  eight,  depending  upon  the  finishing  of  the  seawant. 
Seawant  was  also  sometimes  made  from  the  common  oyster  shell,  and  both 
kinds  made  from  the  hard  clam  shell. 

The  use  of  wampum  was  not  known  in  New-England  until  it  was  introduced 
there  in  the  month  of  October,  1627,  by  Isaac  De  Razier,  the  secretary  of  New- 
Netherland,  while  on  his  embassy  to  the  authorities  of  Plymouth  colony,  for  the 
purpose  of  settling  a  treaty  of  amity  and  commerce  between  that  colony  and 
New-Netherland,  when  he  carried  wampum  and  goods,  and  with  them  pur- 
chased com  at  Plymouth.    To  this  introduction  of  wampum  into  New-England, 


M 


NOTES.  13 


Hnbbud  attributes  nil  their  wars  with  the  Indians  which  afterwards  ensued  ;  and 
in  his  history  speaks  of  this  circumstance  in  the  following  manner: 

"  Whatever  were  the  honey  in  the  mouth  of  that  beast  of  trade,  there  was  a 
deadly  sting  in  the  tail.  For  it  is  said  they  (the  Dutch)  first  brought  our  people 
to  the  knowledge  of  icampam-peag ;  and  the  acquaintance  therewith  occasioned 
the  Indians  of  these  parts  to  learn  the  skill  to  make  it,  by  which,  as  by  the  ex- 
change of  money,  they  purchased  store  of  artillery,  both  from  the  English,  Dutch 
and  French,  which  proved  a  fatal  business  to  those  that  were  concerned  in  it.  It 
seems  the  trade  thereof  was  at  first,  by  strict  proclamation,  prohibited  by  the 
king.  '  Sed  quid  11011  mart  til  is  pertora  cogis,  ditri  sarri  fames !'  The  love  of 
money  is  the  root  of  all  evil,  &.c."    (See  JIuhhard's  History  of  New-England.) 

Although  the  general  distinction  of  this  seawant  was  black  and  white,  yet  that 
in  use  in  New-England  was  black,  blue  and  white  ;  and  that  of  the  Five  Nations 
of  Indians  was  of  a  purple  colour.  A  string  of  this  shell  money,  one  fathom 
long,  varied  in  price,  from  five  shillings,  among  the  New-Englanders,  to  four 
guilders,  (or  one  dollar  sixty-six  and  a  half  cents,)  among  the  Dutch.  The  process 
of  trade  was  this  ;  the  Dutch  and  English  sold  for  seawant  to  the  Indians  of  the 
interior,  their  knives,  combs,  scissors,  needles,  awls,  looking-glasses,  hatchets, 
guns,  black  cloth,  and  other  articles  of  aboriginal  traffic,  (the  Indians  at  this  time 
rejected  fabrics  in  which  the  least  white  colour  in  their  texture  was  discoverable  ;) 
and  with  the  seawant  bought  the  furs,  corn  and  venison  from  the  Indians  on  the 
seaboard,  who  also  with  their  shell  money  bought  such  articles  from  the  abori- 
gines residing  farther  inland  ;  and  by  this  course  the  white  men  saved  the  trouble 
of  transporting  their  furs  and  grain  through  the  country.  Thus,  by  this  circu- 
lating medium,  a  brisk  commerce  was  carried  on,  not  only  between  the  white 
people  and  the  Indians,  but  also  between  different  tribes  among  the  latter.  So 
much  was  this  seawant  the  circulating  medium  of  many  of  the  European  colo- 
nies, in  North  America,  that  the  different  governments  found  it  necessary  to  make 
regulations  on  the  subject.  In  1641  an  ordinance  in  council,  in  the  city  of  New- 
Amsterdam,  (now  New-York,)  was  enacted,  and  the  Dutch  Governor  Kieft, 
which  recited,  that  a  vast  deal  of  bad  seawant,  or  wampum — "  nasty  rough 
things  imported  from  other  places" — was  in  circulation,  while  the  "  good, 
splendid  seawant,  usually  called  Manhattan'!  seairant,  was  out  of  sight,  or 
exported,  which  must  cause  the  ruin  of  the  country  !"  Therefore,  in  order  to 
remedy  the  evil,  the  ordinance  provides,  that,  all  coarse  seawant,  well  stringed, 
should  pass  at  six  for  one  stuyver  only,  but  the  well  polished  at  four  for  a  stuyver, 
and  w  hoever  offered  or  received  the  same  at  a  different  price,  should  forfeit  the 
same,  and  also  ten  guilders  to  the  poor.  This  is  the  first  public  expression  of  an 
apprehension  of  evil  to  the  country  from  the  exportation  of  specie,  that  we  have 
met  with  in  our  history  ;  but  like  most  other  matters  of  the  kind,  it  seems  to 
have  regulated  itself,  and  the  country  went  on  prospering,  from  the  little  city  of 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,  as  New- York  then  was,  to  the  great 
commercial  mart  with  a  population  of  near  four  hundred  thousand  as  it  is  at 
present. 


44 


That  there  was  some  reason  for  this  regulation  of  our  Dutch  government  is 
evident  from  the  following  provision  of  the  Connecticut  code  of  laws  of  1650, 
■which  is  a  re-enactment  of  some  laws  which  had  been  in  force  for  many  years 
previous,  by  which  it  is  ordered, 

"  That  no  peage,  (as  they  called  seawant,)  white  or  black,  bee  paid  or  received, 
but  what  is  strunge,  and  in  some  measure  strange  sutably,  and  not  small  and 
great,  uncomely  and  disorderly  mixt,  as  formerly  it  hath  beene." 

The  colony  of  Massachusetts  in  1648  pussed  a  law  declaring,  that  irampam- 
peag,  (as  they  called  seawant,)  should  pass  current  in  the  payment  of  debts  to  the 
amount  of  forty  shillings  ;  the  white  at  eight  for  a  penny,  and  the  black  at  four 
for  a  penny,  "if  entire,  without  breaches  or  spots;  except  in  the  payment  of 
county  rates  to  the  treasurer."  This  law  continued  in  force  until  in  the  year 
1661,  when  it  was  repealed,  although  seawant  continued  to  form  a  part  of  the 
circulating  medium  of  that  colony  for  a  long  period  subsequent  to  that  repeal. 

This  wampum  currency  appears  sometimes  to  have  been  measured  by  the 
fathom,  in  New-England.  The  Pequot  Indians,  in  the  year  1656,  paid  as  a 
tribute  to  the  United  Colonies  of  New-England  two  hundred  and  fifteen  fathoms 
of  wampum. — of  which  amount  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  paid 
to  Thomas  Stanton,  their  agent  among  the  Indians,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
fathoms  for  his  salary,  which  being  deducted,  there  remained  95  fathoms,  which 
together  with  51  fathoms  at  New-Haven,  being  in  all  one  hundred  and  forty-six 
fathoms,  was  divided  among  the  United  Colonies,  according  to  the  number  of 
males  enumerated  in  the  year  1655,  in  the  following  manner,  being  the  first  dis- 
tribution of  public  moneys  in  the  good  old  time  of  our  history: 

To  Massachusetts,  94  fathoms,  2s.  6d. 

"  Plymouth,  ..-18  fathoms. 

"  Connecticut,  20  fathoms,  2s.  Od. 

'*  New-Haven.  13  fathoms,  Os.  6d. 

Total,  ...  146 
Sundry  orders  and  regulations  made  by  the  different  governments  throughout 
the  seventeenth  century  show  that  this  shell  money  continued  to  form  a  most  im- 
portant part  of  their  circulation.  The  governor  and  council  in  the  city  of  New- 
York  on  the  24th  of  June,  1673,  made  an  order,  declaring  that  by  reason  of  the 
scarcity  of  wampum,  that  which  had  hitherto  passed  at  the  rate  of  eight  white 
and  four  black  pairs,  for  a  stuyver  or  penny,  should  then  pass  at  six  white,  and 
three  black  pairs,  for  a  stuyver  or  penny,  "  and  three  times  so  much  the  value  of 
silver."  At  this  period  there  was  little  "  certain  coin  in  the  government"  of  New- 
York,  and  wampum  readily  passed  as  change  for  current  payment  in  all  cases. 
This  seawant,  or  wampum,  was  the  only  Indian  money  ever  known  in  North 
America, — it  was  not  only  the  money  of  the  Indians,  but  also  the  ornnmcnt  of 
their  persons.  It  distinguished  the  rich  from  the  poor,  the  proud  from  the 
humble.  It  was  the  tribute  paid  by  the  vanquished  to  those,  the  Five  Nations 
for  instance,  who  had  exacted  contribution.    In  the  form  of  a  belt,  it  was  sent 

CC 


NOTES. 


15 


with  nil  public  messages  between  the  Indian  tribes,  and  preserved  as  a  record  of 
all  public  transactions  among  the  aboriginal  people.  If  a  message  was  sent 
without  the  belt,  it  was  considered  an  empty  word,  unworthy  of  remembrance. 
If  the  belt  was  returned,  it  was  a  rejection  of  the  offer  or  proffer  accompanying 
it.  If  accepted,  it  was  a  confirmation,  and  strengthened  f  riendship,  or  effaced 
injuries.  The  belt  with  appropriate  figures  worked  in  it,  was  also  the  record  of 
domestic  transactions.  The  confederation  of  the  Five  Nations  was  thus  recorded. 
These  shells  had  indeed  more  virtue  among  the  Indians,  than  pearls,  gold  and 
silver  had  among  Europeans.  Seawant  was  the  seal  of  a  contract — the  oath  of 
fidelity.  It  satisfied  murders,  and  all  other  injuries  ;  purchased  peace,  and  en- 
tered into  the  religious  as  well  as  the  civil  ceremonies  of  the  aborigines.  A  string 
of  seawant  was  delivered  by  the  orator  in  public  council,  at  the  close  of  every 
distinct  proposition  made  to  others,  as  a  ratification  of  the  truth  and  sincerity  of 
what  he  said,  and  the  white  and  black  strings  of  seawant  were  tied  by  the  Pagan 
priest,  around  the  neck  of  the  white  dog  suspended  to  a  pole,  and  offered  as  a 
sacrifice  to  T'haloughyaicaagon,  the  upholder  of  the  skies,  the  God  of  the  Five 
Nations.    (See  Yates  anil  Jloulton's  History  of  yeic-York.) 

The  wampum,  or  seawant,  continued  to  be  manufactured  in  different  parts  of 
the  State  of  New- York  until  a  comparatively  recent  period.  William  Smith, 
Esq.,  in  his  History  of  the  Colony  of  New-York,  mentions,  that  a  short  time  pre- 
vious to  writing  his  work,  several  poor  families  at  Albany  made  their  living  by 
manufacturing  this  Indian  money.  Several  years  after  that  period,  we  find  it  still 
made  in  large  quantities  upon  Statten  Island  in  the  harbor  of  New- York.  The 
Rev.  Andrew  Burnaby  in  his  interesting  travels  through  the  Middle  Colonies  of 
North  America,  in  1759  and  17G0,  mentions,  that  in  journeying  from  Philadel- 
phia to  New-York,  on  the  9th  of  July,  1760,  he  crossed  over  to  that  island,  and 
travelled  up  it  "  about  nine  miles,  to  a  point  which  is  opposite  New- York  city  f 
and  from  thence  sailed  in  a  boat  to  the  city,  which  was  then  the  usual  route  of 
travelling  between  these  two  places.  In  thus  passing  through  Statten  Island,  he 
says,  "  1  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  method  of  making  wampum.  This 
I  am  persuaded  the  reader  knows  is  the  current  money  amongst  the  Indians.  It 
is  made  of  the  clam  shell ;  a  shell  consisting  of  two  colors,  purple  and  white  ; 
and  in  form  not  unlike  a  thick  oyster  shell.  The  process  of  manufacturing  it  is 
very  simple.  It  is  first  chipped  to  a  proper  size,  which  is  that  of  a  small  oblong 
pnrallelopiped.  then  drilled,  and  afterwards  ground  to  a  round  smooth  surface  and 
polished.  The  purple  wampum  is  much  more  valuable  than  the  white  ;  a  very 
small  part  of  the  shell  being  of  that  color." 

In  my  note  upon  the  Indian  tribes  of  Long  Island  it  is  stated,  that  within  the 
last  fourteen  years  this  seawant  was  made  in  the  eastern  part  of  Long  Island,  for 
the  use  of  the  Indian  traders  in  the  Far  West,  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  of 
their  traffic,  and  for  the  making  of  treaties  with  the  aboriginal  tribes. 

The  manner  in  which  the  business  of  the  country  was  carried  on  in  the  absence 
of  a  metallic  currency,  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  years  after  the  first  settlement 
of  New- York  and  New-England,  evinces  much  ingenuity.    For  this  long  period, 

07 


46 


NOTES. 


in  addition  to  the  seawant,  or  wampum,  the  produce  of  the  soil,  of  almost  every 
description,  formed  the  legalized  medium  by  which  the  trade  of  our  ancestors 
was  conducted. 

In  New- Amsterdam,  now  New-York,  beaver  skins  appear  to  have  been  much 
used  during  the  seventeenth  century,  as  a  medium  of  exchange  between  the  factor 
of  European  manufactures  and  the  consumer  here; — as  for  instance, — in  1C61 
bricks  imported  from  Holland  were  sold  in  New- York  for  four  dollars  and  sixteen 
cents  a  thousand,  payable  in  bearer  skins.  And  not  only  were  these  skins  used 
for  the  purposes  of  foreign  exchange,  but  they  also  seem  under  the  English 
government  to  have  been  a  general  representative  of  value  ;  and  December  2, 
1G70,  the  Mayor's  Court  of  the  city  of  New- York,  ordered,  upon  the  petition  of 
the  widow  of  Jan  Hendric  Steelman  alias  Coopall,  that  she  be  allowed  out  of  his 
estate,  "  to  support  her  this  winter  the  vallue  of  tenne  beavers." 

Other  articles  were  also  used  as  the  representatives  of  value  in  the  purchase 
and  sale  of  commodities,  both  foreign  and  domestic.  Under  the  Dutch  govern- 
ment, as  early  as  1G3G,  the  New-Netherlands  became  celebrated  for  its  excellent 
growth  of  tobacco,  much  of  which  was  exported  to  Holland,  or  the  Fatherland. 
Tobacco  formed  a  prominent  article  in  the  products  of  the  Colony  of  New- York 
for  a  period  of  about  one  hundred  years ;  by  reason  of  which  that  article  was 
much  used  as  a  measure  of  value.  Previous  to  the  commencement  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century  in  very  many,  and  indeed  a  large  majority,  of  the  suits  brought  in 
the  different  courts  in  the  Colony  of  New- York,  the  damages  sought  to  be  reco- 
vered were  stated  at  a  certain  number  of  pounds  of  tobacco,  or  a  certain  number 
of  beaver  skins,  instead  of  a  sum  of  money  ;  and  it  was  in  that  manner  that  the 
verdicts  of  the  juries  and  the  judgments  of  the  courts  were  rendered.  For  a  con- 
siderable period  about  the  year  1G6G,  in  the  same  colony,  the  town  and  county 
rates,  or  taxes,  were  paid  in  beef  and  pork,  at  a  value  fixed  by  the  legislative  au- 
thority ;  and  in  1G75,  winter  wheat  was  taken  in  payment  of  all  debts,  by  the 
governor's  order,  at  five  shillings,  and  summer  wheat  at  four  shillings  and  six- 
pence per  bushel. 

In  all  the  towns  in  New-England  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
and  for  a  lone  time  previous,  it  was  the  custom  of  shopkeepers,  (as  all  merchants 
were  then  designated,)  to  sell  their  goods  for  "pay, — money, — pay  as  money, — 
and  trust."  Pay,  was  drain,  pork,  beef,  &c,  at  the  prices  fixed  by  the  legisla- 
ture. Money,  was  pieces  of  eight  reals,  (dollars,)  Boston,  or  Bay  shillings,  (as 
they  were  termed,)  or  good  hard  money,  as  they  frequently  called  silver  coin  ; 
nnd  also  wampum,  which  served  for  change.  Pay  as  money,  was  provisions  of 
any  kind  taken  at  a  rate  one-third  lower  than  the  price  set  by  the  h'lrislature  ; 
and  trust,  was  a  credit  for  such  time  as  the  buyer  and  seller  could  agree  ;  in 
which  case,  if  the  credit  extended  beyond  a  few  days,  one-fourth  or  fifth  was 
usually  added  to  the  price  for  which  the  articles  would  have  been  sold  at  a  cash 
sale. 

Madam  Knight  in  her  journal,  kept  of  a  Journey  from  Boston  to  New- York, 


NOIT.S. 


in  the  year  1704.  stives  the  following  humorsome  description  of  "  trading"  as  it 
existed  in  New-Ennland  at  tliat  period. 

"  When  the  buyer  comes  to  ask  for  a  commodity,  sometimes  before  the  mer- 
chant answers  that  lie  has  it,  he  says,  is  yonr  pay  ready?  l'erhaps  the  chap 
replies,  yes.  What  do  you  pay  in  ?  says  the  merchant.  The  buyer  having  an- 
swered, then  the  price  is  set ;  as  suppose  lie  wants  a  sixpenny  knife,  in  pity  it  is 
twelvepence, — in  pay  ax  money  cightpence,  and  in  hard  money  its  own  price, 
viz.:  sixpence.  It  seems  a  very  intricate  way  of  trade,  and  what  Lex  Mercato- 
ria  had  not  thought  of." 

iVbrc  10,  page  9. 
FUTURE  STATE  AND  IMMORTALITY  OF  THE  SOUL. 

"  The  immortality  of  the  soul  and  a  future  state  is  generally  believed  amone  them. 
When  good  men  die,  they  say  their  souls  go  to  Kichtan  where  they  meet  their 
friends,  have  splendid  entertainments,  and  enjoy  all  manner  of  pleasures.  When 
wicked  men  die,  they  go  to  Kichtan  Habitation  too,  and  knock  at  the  door,  but 
they  have  no  answer  from  him  but  Quachet,  that  is,  Walk  away,  and  so  they 
wander  about  in  restless  discontent  and  horror  forever.  When  some  of  the  English 
have  talk'd  with  'em  of  the  Resurrection  of  the  Body,  all  the  answer  they  could 
get  from  them  was,  that  it  was  impossible,  and  that  they  should  never  believe  it." 
— yenl'x  llixtory  of  New  England. 

We  have  conversed  with  Indians  who  were  clearly  atheists,  and  treated  as 
fabulous  all  notions  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  and  defended  their  opinions 
with  as  much  ingenuity  and  acuteness  as  low  and  abandoned  white  people,  who 
profess  to  hold  the  same  opinions.  But  in  some  shape  or  form,  almost  all  savages 
admit  the  beinsi  of  God,  and  the  immortality  of  the  soul.  The  Great  "  Spirit"  is 
termed,  in  many  of  their  languages, "  Wahco.vda,"  or  Master  of  Life.  Storm  and 
thunder  are  manifestations  of  his  wrath,  and  success  in  war  and  hunting,  of  his 
favour.  Some  of  the  tribes,  as  the  Osages,  have  forms  of  prayer,  in  the  use  of 
which  they  are  regular  and  earnest,  particularly  when  starting  on  expeditions 
of  hunting  or  war.  Their  prophets  occasionally  give  out,  that  they  have 
had  visible  communications  with  this  Spirit,  who  has  made  himself  sensibly 
manifest  to  them  in  the  form  of  some  bird  or  beast.  They  immediately  paint 
their  faces  black,  and  observe  great  mystery  on  the  occasion.  Thence  they  de- 
rive their  claims  to  prophecy,  and  to  be  treated  with  the  deference  due  to  medi- 
cine men. 

Their  notions  of  the  condition  of  departed  spirits  are  such  as  we  might  expect 
from  their  character  and  condition.  In  some  distant  region,  of  a  southern  tem- 
perature, they  place  the  home  of  the  worthy  departed,  in  the  country  of  the 
*'  brave  and  free"  spirits,  who  pass  to  that  land  of  game  and  good  cheer  over  a 
bridge  scarcely  wider  than  a  hair,  suspended  over  a  deep  gulf.  They  who  have 
hearts  that  are  firm,  feet  that  do  not  tremble,  and  unblenching  countenances,  that 

69 


48 


NOTES. 


is  to  say,  who  have  been  good  warriors  in  life,  pass  steadily  and  safely  over  the 
bridge  ;  while  the  timid  and  trembling  fall  into  the  gulf  below.  They  will  some- 
times talk  of  these  mat'ers  with  great  earnestness  and  apparent  conviction  ;  but, 
we  believe,  of  all  people  that  have  been  known  on  the  earth  their  thoughts,  hopes 
and  fears  dwell  the  least  on  any  thing  beyond  this  life.  It  appears  inexplicable 
to  them  that  any  part  of  their  moral  conduct  here  can  have  any  bearing  upon 
their  condition  hereafter.  Of  course  adult  savages  have  too  often  been  found 
hopeless  subjects,  upon  whom  to  inculcate  the  pure  and  sublime  truths  of  our  gos- 
pel. The  days  of  the  Brainerds  and  Elliots  are  either  gone  by,  or  the  southern 
and  western  savages  are  more  hopeless  subjects,  than  those  of  the  north.  They 
have  certainly  been  found  utterly  destitute  of  the  plastic  docility  of  the  Mexican 
and  Peruvian  Indians.  Charlevoix  gave,  as  a  characteristic  trait  of  the  Canadian 
and  western  savages  of  his  day,  one  that  has  been  found  equally  applicable  to 
to  those  of  the  present  time.  They  listen  with  apparent  docility  and  attention  to 
our  expositions  of  our  religion,  our  faith  and  hopes,  and  assent  to  all ;  admitting, 
that  this  may  all  be  true  in  relation  to  people  of  our  race.  But  it  is  a  deeply 
rooted  impression,  that  they  also  have  their  creating  and  tutelar  "  Great  Spirit." 
They  relate  in  turn  their  own  fables,  their  own  dim  and  visionary  notions  of  a 
God  and  hereafter,  and  exact  the  same  docility  and  complaisance  to  their  creed, 
which  they  yielded  to  ours. —  Western  Monthly  Amino,  Cincinnati,  August,  1827. 

The  doctrines  of  a  life  beyond  the  grave  was,  among  all  the  tribes  of  America, 
most  deeply  cherished,  and  sincerely  believed.  They  had  even  formed  a  distinct 
idea  of  the  region  whither  they  hoped  to  be  transported,  and  of  the  new  and  hap- 
pier mode  of  existence,  free  from  those  wars,  tortures  and  cruellies,  which  throw 
so  dark  a  shade  over  their  lot  upon  earth.  Yet  their  conceptions  on  this  subject 
were  by  no  means  exalted  or  spiritualised.  They  expected  simply  a  prolongation 
of  their  present  life  and  enjoyments,  under  more  favorable  circumstances,  and 
with  the  same  objects  furnished  in  greater  choice  and  abundance.  In  that  brighter 
land  the  sun  ever  shines  unclouded,  the  forests  abound  with  deer,  the  lakes  and 
rivers  with  fish  ;  benefits  which  are  farther  enhanced  in  their  imagination  by  a 
faithful  wife  and  dutiful  children.  They  do  not  reach  it,  however,  till  after  a 
journey  of  several  months,  and  encountering  various  obstacles — a  broad  river,  a 
chain  of  lofty  mountains,  and  the  attack  of  a  furious  dog.  This  favored  country 
lies  far  in  the  west,  at  the  remotest  boundary  of  the  earth,  which  is  supposed  to 
terminate  in  a  steep  precipice,  with  the  ocean  rolling  beneath.  Sometimes,  in  the 
too  eager  pursuit  of  game,  the  spirits  fall  over,  and  are  converted  into  fishes.  The 
local  position  of  their  paradise  appears  connected  with  certain  obscure  intima- 
tions received  from  their  wandering  neighbors  of  the  Mississippi,  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  the  distant  shores  of  the  Pacific.  This  system  of  belief  labors 
under  a  great  defect,  inasmuch  as  it  carcely  connects  felicity  in  the  future  world 
with  virtuous  conduct  in  the  present.  The  one  is  held  to  be  simply  a  continua- 
tion of  the  other  ;  and  under  this  impression,  the  anus,  ornaments,  and  every  thing 
that  has  contributed  to  the  welfare  of  the  deceased,  are  interred  along  with  him. 
This  supposed  assurance  ol  a  future  life  so  conformable  to  their  gross  habits  and 

70 


NOTES. 


19 


conceptions  was  found  by  the  missionaries  a  serious  obstacle,  when  they  attempted 
to  allure  them  by  the  hope  of  a  destiny,  purer  and  higher  indeed,  but  less  accord- 
ant with  their  untutored  conceptions.  I'pon  being  told  that  in  the  promised 
world  they  would  neither  hunt,  eat,  drink,  nor  marry  a  wife,  many  of  them  de- 
clared that,  far  from  endeavoring  to  reach  such  an  abode,  they  would  consider 
their  arrival  there  as  the  greatest  calamity.  Mention  is  made  of  a  Huron  girl 
whom  one  of  the  Christian  ministers  was  endeavoring  to  instruct,  and  whose  first 
question  was,  what  she  would  find  to  eat  !  The  onswer  being  "  Nothing,"  she 
then  asked  what  she  would  see  ?  and  being  informed  that  she  would  see  the 
Maker  of  Heaven  and  earth,  she  expressed  herself  much  at  a  loss  what  she  could 
have  to  say  to  him.  Many  not  only  rejected  this  destiny  for  themselves,  but 
were  indignant  at  the  efforts  made  to  decoy  their  children,  after  death,  into  so 
dreary  and  comfortless  a  region. — Edinburgh  Cabinet  Library. 

The  foregoing  sentiments  of  the  American  Aborigines  with  respect  to  a  future 
state,  are  given  in  beautiful  verse  by  one  of  England's  greatest  poets. 

Lo,  the  poor  Indian  !  whose  untutor'd  mind 
Sees  God  in  clouds,  or  hears  him  in  the  wind  ; 
His  soul,  proud  science  never  taught  to  stray 
Far  as  the  solar  walk,  or  milky-way  ; 
Yet  simple  Nature  to  his  hope  has  giv'n, 
Behind  the  cloud-topt  hill,  an  humbler  heav'n ; 
Some  safer  world  in  depth  of  woods  embrae'd, 
Some  happier  island  in  the  watry  waste, 
Where  slaves  once  more  their  native  land  behold, 
No  fiends  torment,  no  Christians  thirst  for  gold. 
To  Be,  contents  his  natural  desire, 
He  asks  no  Angel's  wing,  no  Seraph's  fire  ; 
But  thinks,  admitted  to  that  equal  sky, 
His  faithful  dog  shall  bear  him  company. — Pope. 

Note  1 1 ,  page  1 1 . 
MARRIAGE  AND  POLYGAMY. 

It  is  an  universal  custom  among  the  Indians,  to  marry  as  many  wives  as  the 
warrior  or  hunter  pleases.  This  is  an  affair  accurately  prescribed  by  custom. 
If  a  young  hunter  has  been  for  a  length  of  time  very  successful  in  hunting,  like  a 
rich  Turk  he  is  authorized  by  public  opinion  to  take  as  many  wives  as  he  has 
proved  himself  able  to  maintain. 

In  all  the  Indian  tribes,  they  have  contrived  to  emulate  the  most  polished  ond 
civilized  people,  in  the  extent  of  prostitution  practised  among  them  ;  and  the 
degraded  beings  who  practice  these  detestable  vices,  hold  the  same  estimation. 
But  taking  into  view  the  position  of  their  females,  so  often  alone  in  the  solitude 
of  the  desert,  the  smallness  of  the  numbers  of  their  societies,  and  the  diminished 

71 


50 


NoTT.ri. 


influence  of  public  opinion,  that  results  from  it,  and  that  they  have  no  other  laws 
than  vague  opinion,  and  no  religion  that  operates  any  moral  restraint, — the  state 
of  morals,  in  regard  to  the  intercourse  between  the  sexes,  is  far  better  than  could 
be  reasonably  expected.  It  is  matter  of  admiration,  that  the  vices  of  licentious- 
ness do  not  prevail  among  them  to  a  much  greater  extent,  than  among  the  whites. 
We  have  been  astonished  at  witnessing  so  much  decorum  and  restraint  among 
them.  We  feel  constrained,  too,  to  place  this  decorum  of  intercourse  among 
themselves,  and  that  surprizing  delicacy  with  which  they  deport  themselves 
towards  white  females  that  fall  into  their  power,  to  a  more  honorable  source 
than  the  destitution  of  passions.  They  have  always  appeared  to  us  to  be  pre- 
cisely on  a  footing  with  untrained  people  of  our  own  race,  in  regard  to  passions; 
and  to  differ  only  in  a  more  chastened,  and  vigorous,  and  effectual  restraint  of 
them. 

There  are  different  standards  of  morals  among  them,  as  among  the  white 
nations.  With  some  tribes  sexual  intercourse  between  the  unmarried,  and  even 
adultery  is  a  venial  offence  ;  and  in  others  it  is  punished  with  mutilation,  death, 
or  an  infliction,  too  horrible  to  name.  The  instance  of  a  young  squaw  who  is  a 
mother  before  marriage,  is  a  very  uncommon  occurrence  ;  nor  have  we  any  faith 
in  the  vulgar  opinion  of  their  adroitness  in  procuring  abortion. —  Western  Monthly 
Review,  Cincinnati,  August,  1827. 

Among  the  Five  Nations  in  New- York,  polygamy  was  not  usual  ;  and  when 
either  of  the  parties  became  dissatisfied  they  separated  without  formality  or 
ignominy  to  either,  unless  the  parting  was  occasioned  by  some  scandalous  of- 
fence in  one  of  them.  In  the  event  of  such  separation  the  children  followed  the 
mother.  Colden  found  the  reason  for  polygamy  not  existing  among  them  to  the 
same  extent  as  with  other  Indians,  in  their  republican  institutions.  Each  tribe  was 
in  itself  a  pure  republic,  managing  its  own  concerns,  and  uniting  as  a  nation  for 
the  purposes  of  war,  and  carrying  on  their  intercourse  with  the  English  and 
French,  and  also  with  the  aborigines.  They  esteemed  themselves  superior  by 
nature  to  the  rest  of  mankind,  and  called  themselves  Onaue-honire,  the  men  sur- 
passing all  others.  This  was  not  a  vain  opinion  held  only  by  themselves,  but 
this  superiority  was  conceded  to  them  by  all  the  Indian  tribes  with  whom  they 
had  any  intercourse.  The  aboriginal  nations  round  about  them  were  their  tribu- 
taries, and  dared  neither  make  war  or  peace  without  their  consent.  It  was  their 
custom  every  year  or  two  to  send  two  old  chiefs  to  collect  the  accustomed  tri- 
bute ;  and  Lieut.  Governor  Colden,  in  his  History  of  the  Five  Nations,  (8vo., 
London,  1747,  introd.,  p.  4.)  says:  "I  have  often  had  opportunity  to  observe 
what  anxiety  the  poor  Indians  were  under  while  these  two  old  men  remained  in 
that  part  of  the  country  where  I  was.  An  old  Mohawk  sachem,  in  a  poor 
blanket  and  dirty  shirt,  may  be  seen  issuing  his  orders  with  as  arbitrary  an  au- 
thority, as  a  Roman  Dictator." 

The  Five  Nations  also  practised  upon  the  maxim  formerly  used  by  the  Romans, 
to  increase  their  strength,  by  encouraging  the  people  of  other  nations  to  incorpo- 
rate with  them.    In  the  early  part  of  the  last  century  they  had  for  their  allies, 

72 


Mil  l  S. 


51 


the  Tuscarora  Indians,  then  inhabiting  North  Carolina,  and  we  find  thai  in  1713. 
they  were  about  engaging  in  a  war  with  the  Flathead  Indians,  (then  in  Virginia 
and  Carolina,  and  now  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.)  in  support  of  their  allies. 
To  prevent  this  war  the  Council  of  the  Province  of  New-York  instructed  their 
Indian  agent  to  interfere, — but  it  was  without  success, — as  it  seems  the  commis- 
sioners of  Indian  affairs,  June  11,  1713,  wrote  the  governor,  "that  the  Five 
Nations  have  returned  the  belt  of  wampum  given  them,  not  to  enter  into  a  war  with 
the  Flatheads  ;  and  desiring  some  principal  men  of  Albany,  may  be  sent  to  Onon- 
daga, with  presents,  to  hinder  their  entering  into  that  war."  The  course  recom- 
mended was  pursued,  and  the  war  prevented  ;  on  which  some  lew  years  alter  the 
Five  Nations  invited  tin-  Tuscaroras  to  emigrate  to  New-Yotk,  and  become 
united  with  their  nation,  which  they  did.  making  the  Sixth  Nation,  and  they  now 
form  a  veiy  large  and  important  part  of  the  remnant  of  the  celebrated  "  Six  Na- 
tions." The  Tuscaroras  continued  to  hold  the  land  on  which  they  were  origi- 
nally settled  in  North  Carolina,  until  a  recent  period,  when  they  sold  it,  and 
divided  the  proceeds  equally  among  the  members  of  the  tribe.  They  are  now 
cultivators  of  the  soil,  in  Niagara  county,  New-Yoik,and  many  of  them  in  pros- 
perous circumstances. 

This  custom  of  adopting  others  into  the  confederacy,  also  existed  among  the 
families  of  the  different  tribes.  Their  prisoners  were  frequently  thus  received  into 
the  families  of  those  who  had  lost  one  or  more  of  its  members  in  the  war.  And  if 
a  young  man  or  boy  was  received  in  place  of  a  husband  who  had  been  killed,  all 
the  children  of  the  deceased  called  that  boy  father;  so  that  one  might  sometimes 
hear  a  man  of  thirty  years  say,  that  such  a  boy  of  fifteen  or  twenty  was  his 
father.     \L'oldrn's  History  of  the  Five  Nations,  tro  .  /Million.  1 717,  in t roil.  p.  9.) 

This  league  of  the  Iroquois  or  Five  Nations,  is  the  most  interesting  portion  of 
Indian  history,  and  affords  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  in  civilized  states. 
In  them  we  see  several  weak  and  scattered  tribes,  who  remaining  in  their  inde- 
pendent state,  would  soon  have  been  destroyed  by  their  more  powerful  neighbors, 
had  the  wisdom  to  form  a  permanent  league,  and  to  preserve  il  notwithstanding 
all  the  jealousies  incident  to  their  condition,  without  a  single  rupture.  And  not 
only  so,  we  also  find  them,  when  reduced  in  numbers  by  wars  and  other  causes, 
below  what  they  deemed  necessary  for  their  safety,  inviting  and  receiving  into 
their  league  another  tribe,  which  they  selected  from  a  position  so  far  removed 
from  their  own  residence,  and  their  usual  course  of  warlike  expeditions,  that  there 
were  no  bad  feelings  to  be  overcome  by  the  one  in  making,  or  the  other  in  ac- 
cepting the  offer;  and  they  had  the  address  to  induce  this  new  tribe,  the  Tusca- 
roras. to  leave  their  old  habitations  in  a  more  genial  clime,  and  to  come  and 
unite  with  them  in  western  New- York.  It  was  by  this  exercise  of  sound  wis- 
dom,  that  the  Iroquois  notwithstanding  their  residence  near,  and  continual 
intercouise  with  the  white  men,  preserved  their  nation  even  down  to  our  day. 
while  other,  and  even  more  numerous  individual  tribes  have  wasted  away,  and 
nothing  but  their  names  remain. 

It  was  the  Iroquois,  who,  sensible  of  the  benefits  resulting  from  their  own 
10 


52 


NOTES. 


league,  as  early  as  1752,  called  the  attention  of  the  commissioners  of  Indian 
affairs  to  the  necessity  of  an  union  between  the  British  Colonies,  for  their  defence 
against  the  French.  And  their  advice  led  to  the  Congress  of  1754,  at  Albany, 
the  most  celebrated  and  important  held  previous  to  the  revolution  ;  and  which 
was  convened  by  an  order  of  the  Lords  of  Trade,  in  w  hich  they  directed  that  the 
chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  should  be  consulted,  in  order  to  concert  a  scheme  for 
the  common  defence.  {A  History  of  British  Dominions  in  Xorth  Amrrira,Sro., 
London,  1772.)  The  discussions  in  that  Congress,  and  the  plans  of  union  there 
proposed,  ultimately  led  to  the  adoption  of  our  present  form  of  government. 

The  western  part  of  the  State  of  New- York,  as  early  as  1GG0,  was  the  scene 
of  one  of  those  El  Dorado  expeditions  which  throw  a  cast  of  romance  over  many 
of  our  early  annals,  by  a  party  of  twenty-three  Spaniards  who  arrived  from  New- 
Orleans,  by  way  of  the  Mississippi,  Ohio,  and  Alleghany  Rivers,  and  also  by  a 
French  party  from  a  colony  then  seated  near  the  present  town  of  Pompey, — all 
of  whom  were  killed  by  the  Iroquois,  in  consequence  of  the  jealousies  w  hich  they 
excited  in  the  minds  of  the  Indians  in  reference  to  the  designs  of  each  other. 
They  were  in  search  of  "  a  northern  lake,  the  bottom  of  vhirh  they  Miered  to 
be  rorered  irith  silrer."  Such  things  may  now  appear  to  us  improbable,  but 
those  who  are  conversant  with  the  history  of  the  Spanish  adventures  during  the 
early  settlements  of  America,  and  the  extravagant  and  wearisome  expeditions 
they  made,  led  on  by  the  fables  of  the  El  Dorado,  which  they  expected  to  find 
realized  in  this  western  hemisphere  ; — and  the  horrible  amount  of  crime,  and  loss 
of  human  life,  with  which  their  pursuits  after  the  precious  metals  were  attended  ; — 
or  who  have  read  the  Journal  of  the  Voyage  of  De  Acugna,  and  of  Grillel  and 
Bechamel,  in  South  America,  and  Southey's  account  of  the  expedition  of  Orsua, 
and  the  crimes  of  Aguirre,  will  not  want  faith  in  this  statement.* 

Note  12,  page  12. 
LONG. 

This  word  is  evidently  not  of  Indian  oricin,  nor  does  it  seem  to  have  been  even 
used  by  the  Indians  themselves,  no  traces  being  found  of  it  in  any  vocabulary  ol 
their  language.  In  all  probability  it  was  a  word  in  common  use  among  the  E  [- 
lish  of  that  day,  although  it  has  now  become  entirely  obsolete.  It  is  difficult  to 
ascertain  its  meaning  as  here  applied.  Some  have  supposed  this  Long  to  be  the 
Bunch  or  Tuft  of  hair  worn  on  the  top  of  the  head  by  certain  tribes,  as  a 


•  An  account  of  this  expedition  tWms  part  nf  an  Essay  on  the  Ancient  History  nf  West- 
ern New-York,  embracing  a  period  from  1670  extending  back  lo  one  anterior  la  llud«on'j 
discovery  of  New  York,  containing  numerous  fads  showing  the  existence  of  a  civilized  set- 
tlement. In  this  region. — prepared  by  the  Editor,  and  lvhich  he  may  hereafter  give  to  the 
world,  if  the  public  taste  should  seem  to  warrant  It. 

74 


NOTES.  .r>3 

proof  that  they  were  not  afraid  to  meet  the  enemy,  as  well  as  that  they  had  never 
been  made  captives  in  war,  sinre  the  practice  of  scalping  was  general  among 
them.  Others  think  it  must  have  been  a  chain  of  ornaments  suspended  from  the 
hair,  down  the  back. 


Xole  13,  pn^e  14. 

Tnr.  distance  by  the  Hudson  Riverfrotn  New  York  to  Albany  or  Fort  Orange, 
as  it  was  formerly  called  by  the  Dutch,  is  14")  miles.  This  river  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  water  courses  on  the  lace  of  the  globe  ;  and  as  a  navigable  out- 
let, to  the  vast  and  fertile  regions  of  the  west,  has  high  claims  to  attention.  It  is 
formed  of  two  principal  branches,  the  Hudson  proper  and  the  Mohawk. 

Below  the  head  of  the  tide,  the  mean  breadth  of  the  river  does  not  reach  a 
a  mile.  In  nil  its  length,  above  New  York  island,  it  is  bordered  by  a  steep 
acclivity,  in  many  places  mountainous.  It  affords  rapidly  varying  landscapes. 
The  channel  appears  an  interminable  vista,  bounded,  on  the  western  shore  by 
walls  of  primitive  rock,  and  on  the  east,  by  a  highly  cultivated  country,  rising 
boldly  from  the  brink.  This  contrast  continues  to  the  Highlands;  where  enor- 
mous mountain  peaks  rise  suddenly  on  both  sides,  to  twelve  hundred  or  fifteen 
hundred  feet,  through  which  the  channel  seems  to  have  been  rifted  by  some 
almost  inconceivable  force.  It  presents  the  only  known  instance,  except  that  of 
the  St.  Lawrence,  in  which  the  ocean  tiles  pass  the  primitive  mountain  chain, 
carrying  depth  for  the  largest  vessels.  This  depth  is  found  for  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles — five  miles  above  the  city  of  Hudson.  North  of  this  point,  sloops 
pass  to  Troy,  and  thence  through  the  lock  of  the  dam  to  Waterford.  Above  the 
Highlands,  the  banks  continue  bold,  rocky,  and  often  precipitous,  though  not 
mountainous.  The  farms  and  villages  hang  upon  the  cliffs,  or  rise  by  stages  from 
the  waters'  edge.  In  a  few  places,  bottoms  occur  ;  but  they  are  rare  and  of 
limited  extent. — Gordon's  Xeic-York. 


Note  14,  page  20. 

CoRmoxn  with  thejEftl  and  fishing in  the  harbor  of  New-York,  we  have  a 
curious  fact  in  Natural  History,  narrated  by  at  least  two  officers  of  the  Dritish 
government,  who  were  here  during  the  early  part  of  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  which  is  also  still  existing  in  the  memory  of  some  of  our  oldest  inhabitants. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  the  harbor  of  New-York  abounded  in 
fish,  among  which  were  lobsters  of  a  large  size,  which  all  at  once  disappeared, 
immediately  after  the  cannonading  in  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  and  the  taking 
possession  of  New-York  by  the  British  army.  William  Eddis,  Esq.,  in  his 
highly  interesting  '•  Letters  from  America,  historical  and  descriptive  ;  comprising 
occurrences  from  1769  to  1777,  inclusive,"  (8vo.,  London,  179*2,  page  426,)  in 
describing  his  residence  in  the  city  of  New-York,  shortly  before  embarking  for 


54 


NOTES. 


England,  after  having  been  obliged  to  leave  his  post  as  Surveyor  of  the  Customs 
at  Annapolis,  in  Maryland,  by  reason  of  his  adherence  to  the  Crown,  mentions 
this  fact  in  the  following  manner:  "  Lobsters  of  a  prodigious  size,  were,  till  of 
late,  caught  in  vast  numbers,  but  it  is  a  fact,  surprising  as  it  may  appear,  that, 
since  the  late  incessant  cannonading,  they  have  entirely  forsaken  the  coast,  not 
one  having  been  taken,  or  seen,  since  the  commencement  of  hostilities." 

Lieut.  Aubury,  who  was  captured  with  Burgoyne's  army,  and  came  to  the  city 
of  New-York,  after  his  exchange,  in  1781,  in  his  "  Travels  through  the  interior 
parts  of  America,"  (2  vols.,  8vo.,  London,  1791,  vol.  '2.  page  471 .)  slates  the  same 
fact  in  equally  explicit  language.  This  is  no  matter  of  the  imagination,  the 
writer  has  also  received  the  same  as  fact,  from  some  old  people  who  knew  this 
vicinity  in  the  early  part  of  the  revolution.  They  say.  that  forty-five  years  ago 
no  lol>sters  were  to  be  found  sou;h  of  Hellgate,  notwithstanding  their  previous 
great  abundance  throughout  the  East  River.  Since  that  period  these  fish  have 
gradually  been  regaining  their  old  haunts  ;  about  twenty-live  years  ago  they  were 
taken  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kipp's  Bay,  and  within  the  last  four  or  live  years 
were  found  to  have  reached  the  harbor  of  New- York.  During  the  last  three 
years  large  numbers  of  them  have  been  taken  on  a  spit  of  sand  which  extends  in 
a  circular  direction  from  near  the  Brooklyn  shore  towards  New-York,  a  short 
distance  south  of  the  Fulton  fi  rry,  which  appears  to  he  their  favorite  locality  ; 
and  during  this  latter  period,  at  the  proper  times,  it  was  not  unusual  to  see  ten 
or  a  dozen  boats  engaged  in  taking  that  favorite  shellfish,  which  six  years  before 
was  not  to  be  found  in  our  waters. 

What  we  have  gained  in  respect  to  lobsters  we  have  lost  in  another  and  favo- 
rite fish ,  the  shad.  From  a  manuscript  account  of  the  shad  fishery  at  the  Nar- 
rows on  Long  Island,  kept  by  the  owner  of  the  most  extensive  fishery  at  that 
place,  showing  ihe  number  of  fish  caught  during  each  season,  from  1789  to  a 
recent  date,  and  also  the  largest  number  taken  in  one  day  during  each  season,  it 
appears  that  the  whole  number  now  caught,  during  the  w'role  season,  is  scarcely 
equal  to  the  largest  number  taken  in  some  one  single  day  fifty  years  ago. 

At  the  time  when  Lieut.  Aubury  wrote  his  account  of  New- York,  and  its 
neighborhood,  in  October,  1781,  Brooklyn,  now  a  city  of  near  fi'ty  thousand  inha- 
bitants, was  then  only  noted  for  its  "excellent  tavern,  where  parties  are  made  to 
go  and  cal  fish  ;" — il  was  in  our  author's  language,  '•  a  scattered  village,  consist- 
ing of  a  lew  houses." — which  was  strictly  true,  for  there  were  not  then  more  than 
fifty  houses  in  the  bounds  of  the  present  city.  Aubury  states  thai,  "  at  a  small 
distance  from  the  town  are  considerable  heights,  commanding  the  city  of  New- 
York  ;  on  these  is  erected  a  strong  regular  fort,  with  lour  bastions."  This  strong 
fort,  then  at  a  small  distance  from  the  town,  was  on  a  site  now  in  the  midst  of 
the  thick  settled  portion  of  the  city,  with  its  centre  on  Pierrcpont-strcet  and 
Henry-street.  What  a  change  has  occurred  here  in  sixty-four  years,  a  period 
during  which  many  of  the  cities  of  the  Old  World  have  scarcely  experienced  any 
alteration. 


76 


55 


Note  15,  page  21. 

Tar  following  extract  is  corroborative  of  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  remark  : 
"  On  my  return  passage  from  Europe  to  America,  in  May,  1840,  on  board  the 
packet-ship  Philadelphia,  commanded  by  the  good  Captain  Morgan.  During 
the  whole  of  the  day  on  the  evening  of  which  we  made  land,  we  were  most 
anxiously  expecting  a  sight  of  terra-firma  once  more.  To  our  no  small  joy, 
some  lime  after  dark,  we  espied  the  revolving  light  that  is  placed  upon  the  high- 
lands of  Neversink.  And  strange  to  relate,  our  olfactory  organs  were  the  second 
sense,  that  intimated  to  us  our  near  approach  to  land.  Tin-  fragrance  of  bloom- 
ing (lowers,  green  meadows,  and  budding  vegetation  of  every  kind,  was  truly 
delicious,  and  brought  to  our  recollections  the  odoriferous  sensation  experienced 
on  entering  a  hot-house  in  winter.  An  Italian  gentleman,  one  of  the  passen- 
gers, who  had  heard  much  of  America,  and  was  now  for  the  first  time  about 
visiting  it,  on  experiencing  this  sensation,  exclaimed  in  the  soft  poetical  language 
of  his  country,  '  Bcllissimo,  bcllissimo.  Ire  bellissimo  Italia  nuuro  !' 

"  This  was  no  doubt,  in  a  considerable  degree,  caused  by  the  great  change  in 
the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere.  The  thermometer  during  the  whole  voyage 
having  never  reached  a  higher  point  than  GO,  but  often  fell  much  lower  ;  whereas 
now  it  had  risen  to  88  with  the  breeze  coming  from  land,  which  made  us  more 
sensible  to  impressions,  particularly  of  this  kind." — W.  Goicans'  Western  Memo- 
rabilia 

Note  1G,  page  22. 

That  this  genuine,  open  hearted  hospitality,  is  still  practiced  among  the  pio- 
neers of  the  Far  West,  can  be  fully  attested  by  every  one  who  has  been  among 
them. 

The  following  extract  may  be  taken  as  an  instance,  which  is  only  one  out  of 
many  that  could  be  produced. 

"  When,  on  a  pedestrian  journey  through  the  new  states  and  territories  of  the 
west  I  got  into  a  dreary  and  comparatively  unsettled  part  of  the  country.  I  tra- 
velled one  day  about  fifty  miles  ;  my  route  lay  through  a  thickly  wooded  dis- 
trict, and  I  was  compelled  to  ford  a  creek  or  small  river  twelve  or  fourteen  times, 
which  traversed  nearly  the  whole  of  the  path  in  a  serpentine  manner. 

"  During  this  day  I  passed  only  two  or  three  log-cabins,  situated  in  little  open- 
ings in  this  vast  wilderness.  Night  came  on  after  I  had  passed  the  last  about 
ten  miles,  and  I  knew  not  how  far  I  should  have  to  travel  before  falling  in  with 
another.  This  was  an  uncomfortable  situation  however.  Either  to  return  or  to 
remain  stationary  I  knew  would  not  do,  so  I  proceeded  onward  throusjh  the 
gloomy,  thick  solitary  woods.  The  moon  was  clear  and  her  light  inspired  me 
with  some  confidence,  but  the  further  I  advanced  the  more  alarmed  I  became 
lest  I  should  fall  in  with  some  of  the  lords  of  the  forest,  such  as  Indians,  bears, 
wolves,  Sec.  In  this  state  of  mind  I  jogged  on  for  some  time,  till  near  the  hour  of 
ten,  when  I  beheld  a  light  shining  through  among  the  trees.   I  descried  this 


56 


pleasing  spectacle  I  am  sure  with  as  much  heartfelt  delight  as  ever  did  ship- 
wrecked mariner  on  beholding  land.  I  made  up  to  this  light  as  fast  as  my 
wearied  limbs  and  swollen  feet  would  carry  me,  (for  my  feet  had  swollen  greatly 
on  account  of  being  wet  during  the  whole  of  the  day.)  This  light  proceeded 
from  one  of  those  small  log-cabins  situated  in  a  little  open  spot  surrounded  with 
tall  heavy  timber — I  knocked  at  the  door  and  was  answered  by  a  young  woman — 
I  asked  for  admission,  which  was  cherfully  granted — I  stated  to  her  my  condi- 
tion, where  from,  Sus.,  and  requested  permission  to  remain  all  night  under  her 
roof.  She  said  it  was  particularly  unfortunate  as  it  might  be  improper  for  her  to 
harbour  me  through  the  night,  as  she  was  all  alone  with  the  exception  of  her 
two  little  children,  her  husband  having  gone  back  many  miles  to  look  out  for  a 
new  settlement  on  the  borders  of  some  prairie. 

"  I  asked  her  what  distance  it  was  to  the  next  opening,  that  is  to  say,  cabin  or 
house  ;  she  replied  about  eight  miles.  On  hearing  this  1  again  renewed  my  sup- 
plications to  be  permitted  to  remain  all  night.  At  this  second  request  (he  true 
nature  of  woman  prevailed  ;  she  remarked  it  would  S  hard  indeed  to  refuse  shel- 
ter (situated  even  as  she  was)  to  one  apparently  so  much  fatigued  and  worn  out. 
She  immediately  prepared  supper  for  me,  which  consisted  of  mush,  milk,  fried 
bacon,  and  bread  made  from  Indian  corn.  Being  excessively  fatigued  I  had 
scarcely  tasted  of  her  bounty  when  sleep  overtaking  me  I  fell  into  a  deep  slum- 
ber. I  know  not  how  long  I  had  been  in  this  state  when  she  awoke  me  and 
requested  me  to  go  to  bed,  the  only  one  in  the  cabin.  1  learned  afterwards,  that 
she  had  betaken  herself  to  one  less  soft,  and  more  humble,  the  floor.  In  the 
morning  I  awoke  quite  refreshed  and  breakfasted  on  the  humble  fare  she  had 
prepared.  On  my  departure  she  would  accept  of  no  compensation  whatever, 
either  for  the  entertainment  I  had  received  or  the  inconvenience  that  I  had  put 
her  to. 

"  Good  and  kind  hearted  woman  ;  for  this  act  of  Samaritan  hospitality,  I  am, 
and  I  hope  ever  will  continue  grateful,  and  I  take  especial  pleasure  in  recording 
an  act  so  purely  benevolent,  and  I  fear  of  but  rare  occurrence  amongst  those  who 
esteem  themselves  much  more  polished  members  of  society. 

"  I  related  this  incident  to  an  American  poet, — next  time  I  saw  him  he  had 
the  whole  story  turned  into  verse,  entitled,  '  The  Beauty  of  Iienerole.nct.'  " — 
W.  Goirans  Western  Memurabilia. 

Note  17,  page  22. 

The  war  between  the  English  and  Dutch  breaking  out  about  this  time,  (1GG4.) 
King  Charles  resolved  to  dispossess  the  Dutch  of  their  settlements  upon  Hudson's 
River.  This  part  of  the  country  was  first  discovered  by  Captain  Hudson,  an 
Englishman,  who  sold  it  to  the  Dutch  about  the  year  1G08  ;  but  doing  it  without 
the  king's  license  it  was  reckoned  invalid  ;  the  English  who  sailed  from  Holland 
to  the  West  Indies,  and  settled  at  Plymouth,  designed  to  have  taken  possession 
of  those  parts,  but  the  commander  of  the  ship  being  a  Dutchman,  and  bribed  by 

78 


noti:s. 


r,7 


■una  of  his  countrymen,  landed  them  farther  to  the  north.   The  Dutch  took 

possrs.-i,m  of  the  country  soon  after,  ami  bcnaita  pluntnt ion  in  the  year  Hi^.'l.but 
were  driven  thence  by  Sir  Samuel  Argall,  Governor  of  Virginia  ;  they  then 
applied  to  Kino;  James,  who  being  n  slothful  prince,  gave  them  leave  to  build 
some  cottages  for  the  convenience  of  their  ships  touching  there  fur  fresh  water,  in 
their  passage  to  and  from  Brazil:  under  this  pretence  they  built  the  city  of  New- 
Amsterdam,  in  an  island  called  .Manhanatoes  at  the  mouth  of  Hudson's  River, 
and  a  fort  about  eighty  miles  up  the  river,  which  they  called  Orange  Fort  ;  from 
whence  they  traded  with  the  Indians  overland  as  far  as  Quebec.  Whether  the 
English  or  the  Dutch  had  the  best  tide  to  this  part  of  the  country  is  of  no  great 
importance  now,  since  it  was  taken  from  them  in  time  of  war,  and  yielded  up 
by  the  peace.  'Tis  plain  however,  that  King  Charles  the  Second  looked  upon 
them  as  intruders,  because  on  the  13th  of  .March,  this  year,  he  made  a  grant  of 
the  whole  country  called  Nova  Belgia  to  his  brother  the  Duke  of  York,  who 
gave  it  the  name  of  New-York,  and  sent  a  squadron  of  men-of-war,  wilh  some 
land  forces,  under  the  command  of  Sir  Robert  Carr,  to  reduce  it.  Sir  Robert 
arrived  there  in  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1C(>4,  landed  3,000  men  upon  Maha- 
natoes  Island,  and  marched  directly  to  New- Amsterdam  ;  the  governor  of  the 
town  was  an  old  soldier  that  had  lost  his  leg  in  the  service  of  the  states,  but 
being  surprised  ai  the  unexpected  attack  of  a  formidable  enemy  he  was  prevailed 
upon  by  the  inhabitants  to  surrender.  Thus  this  place  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
English.  'Twas  handsomely  built  by  the  Dutch,  of  brick  and  stone  covered 
with  red  and  black  tile,  and  the  land  being  high  it  afTords  an  agreeable  prospect 
at  a  distance.  Above  half  the  Dutch  inhabitants  remained,  and  took  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  king,  the  rest  had  liberty  to  remove  with  their  effects. 

Thirteen  days  after  the  surrender  of  New  Amsterdam  a  detachment  was  sent 
under  Colonel  Nichols  to  reduce  Orange  Fort,  which  he  easily  accomplished,  and 
called  it  New- Albany,  the  Duke  of  York's  Scotch  title,  and  so  the  whole  country 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English. — Oldmixon's  British  Empire  in  America, 
quoted  by  Seal  in  his  History  of  Xew-England. 


THE  END. 


A  CATALOGUE  OF  BOOKS 

WUIfU  WILL  APPEAR  I\  THE  MBLIOTHEf A  AMERICANA. 


1.  A  Relation  or  Journall  of  the  beginning  and  proceedings  of 
the  English  Plantation  setledat  Plimoth  m  New  England,  by  cer- 
taine  English  Adventurers,  both  Merchants  and  others.  With  their 
dilTicult  passage,  their  safe  arrivall,  their  joyfull  buildiug  of,  and 
comfortable  planting  themselves  in  the  now  well  defended  Towneof 
New  Plimoth.  This  book  is  better  known  by  the  title  of  G.  MourCs 
Journal  of  the  Pi/grims.    London.  1622. 

2.  Historical  Accounts  relating  to  a  Nation  called  the  Welsh 
Indians;  for  many  ages  believed  to  be  existing  on  the  Continent  of 
North  America.  Never  before  published  in  a  connected  form. 
Together  with  an  examination  of  the  proofs  adduced  in  support  of 
such  belief.  By  Gabriel  Fuhman,  Member  of  the  New  York 
Historical  Society  &c. 

3.  An  Historical  and  Geographical  Account  of  the  Province  and 
Country  of  Pensilvania,  and  of  West  New  Jersey  in  America. 
By  Gabriel  Thomas.    8vo.    Curious  map.    London.  1698. 

4.  The  Voyages  of  the  Brothers  M.  and  A.  Zcno,  gathered  out 
of  their  letters.  By  M.  Francisco  Marcclion,  and  translated  into 
the  English  tongue.  By  Richard  Hakluyt.  London  printed. 
1600. 

5.  A  Bibliographical  Catalogue  of  American  Poets,  from  the 
time  of  George  Sandys  (1615)  to  the  present  period. 

6.  A  Bibliographical  Catalogue  of  all  the  books  of  travels  re- 
lating to  the  United  States  and  Canada,  that  have  originally  been 
written  or  translated  into  English,  from  the  time  of  their  first  dis- 
covery to  the  present. 


1860.1 


GOWANS. 


[NO.  19. 


CATALOGUE  OF 

Ancient  and  Rare  American  Books, 

FOR  SALE  AT  THK  AKKIXED  PRICES, 

STORE — 81,  83  and  85  CENTRE  STREET,  NEW  TORE, 

( Two  litocks  East  <if  Itrtxxdxtxiy  ) 
CATALOGUES  SENT  GRATIS  TO  ANY  PART  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

"  Hire  me  leave 
To  enjoy  myself '  that  place  that  does  contain 
My  liooKS,  the  best  companions,  is  to  me 
A  glorious  court,  where  hourly  I  converse 
IVith  the  old  sages  and  philosophers  ; 
And  sometimes,  for  variety,  I  confer 
With  kings  and  emperors,  and  weigh  their  counsels  : 
Calling  their  victories,  if  unjustly  got, 
Unto  a  strict  account,  and,  in  my  fancy, 
Deface  their  ill-placed  statues.    Can  I  then 
Part  with  such  constant  pleasures,  to  embrace 
Uncertain  vanities  ?    No.'  be  it  your  care 
To  augment  a  heap  of  wealth  ;  it  shall  be  mine 
To  increase  in  knowledge  by  these  means." — J.  Fletcuer. 

"  If  the  price  of  old  books  ancnt  America  whether  native  or  foreign  should  continue  to  aug- 
ment in  value  in  the  same  ratio  as  they  hare  done  for  the  last  thirty  years,  their  prices  must 
become  fabulous,  or  rather  like  the  books  of  the  Sibyls,  rise  above  all  valuation.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  present  century,  the  Bay  Hymn  Book  (the  first  book  printed  in  North  America),  then 
an  exceedingly  rare  book,  no  one  would  have  supposed  would  bring  one  hundred  dollars  ;  now,  a 
copy  was  lately  sold  for  nearly  six  hundred,  and  a  perfect  copy  at  this  time  would  bring  one 
thousand.  Elliott's  (irammar  qf  the  Indian  Tor.gucs  was  lately  sold  for  $160,  a  small  tract. 
The  author's  version  of  the  Scriptures  into  the  Indian  Language  could  be  purchased  fifty  years 
ago  for  $50,  note  it  is  worth  $500  ;  Cotton  Mather's  Magnalia  Christ i  Americana,  $6  was  then 


Netherlands,  So,  note  $50.    These  are  but  a  fewout  of  many  hundreds  that  could  be  named  that 
have  risen  from  trijling  to  extraordinary  prices,  in  the  short  space  of  half  a  century.''' 
 Western  Alemorabilia 


FRANKLIN  STREET 

Ld 


LEONARD  H  STREET  ^co 

00 


3NVT  3NIUVH1V3 


I  clock  urn 

1  MAKER  fUll 

Hi 

»  CO 


.  .  in 

7  m  r  m 
<?       </>  . 


2 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


ACOSTA,  JOSEPH.  Histoire  Naturelle  et 
moralle  des  Indes,.  tant  Orientalles  qu' 
Occidentalles  :  Ou,  il  est  traicte  des  cho- 
ses  remarquables  du  Ciel,  des  Elemens, 
Metaux,  Plautes  et  Animaux  qui  sont 
propres  de  ce  pays.  Ensemble  des  mceurs, 
ceremonies,  loix,  governemens  and  guer- 
res  des  mesmes  Indiens.  12ruo.  pp. 
798.    $5  00.  Paris,  1600. 

ACOSTA,  JOSEPH.  The  Natural  land  Morall 
Historie  of  the  East  and  West  Indies. 
Entreating  of  the  remarkeable  things  of 
Heaven,  of  the  Elements,  Mettalls,  Plants 
and  Beasts  which  are  proper  to  that 
country :  together  with  the  Manners, 
Ceremonies,  Lawes,  Governements  and 
Warres  of  the  Indians  Written  in  Span- 
ish by  J.  A.,  and  translated  into  English 
by  E.  G.    4to.    pp.  604.    $15  00. 

London,  1604. 

ADAMS,  C.  B.  Catalogue  of  Sh  ills  collected 
at  Panama,  with  Notes  of  their  Synony- 
my, Station  and  Geographical  Distribu- 
tion. 8vO.  pp.342,  (privately  printed  ) 
$5  00.  New  York,  1852. 

ADAMS,  JOHN.  Twenty-Six  Letters  upon 
interesting  subjects,  respecting  the  Revo- 
lution of  America.  Written  in  Holland 
in  the  year  1780,  &c.  12mo,  pr.  pp.  64. 
$2  25.  New  York,  1789. 

ADAMS,  JOHN  Q.  Report  upon  Weights 
and  Measures.  Prepared  by  order  of 
Congress.    8vo.    pp.  248.    $5  00. 

Washington,  1821. 
ADYE,  STEPHEN  PAYNE.  A  Treatise  in 
Courts  Martial.  Containing:  L  Remarks 
on  Martial  Law  ariH  Courts  Martial  In 
general.  II.  The  Manner  of  proceeding 
against  offenders.  To  which  is  added, 
An  Essay  on  Military  Punishments  and 
Rewards.    12mo.    pp.  146.    $5  00. 

New  York,  1769. 
ALBANY.     Laws  and  Ordinances,  of  the 
Mayor.  Recorder,  Alderman,  and  Com- 
monalty of  the  city  of  Albany.  4to. 
pp.  66.    $6  50.  Albany,  177.1. 

ALEXANDER,  KARL  OF  STIRLING  AND 
DEVON.  Vindication  of  the  Rights  and 
Titles,  Political  and  Territoriel,  as  Lord 
Proprietor  of  Canada  and  Nova- Scotia. 
By  John  L.  Hajes.  Also  the  Trial  of 
Lord  Stirling,  being  Part  II  of  the  Vin- 
dication of  the  Rights  and  Titles,  Poli- 
tical and  Territoriel,  of  Alexander,  Earl 
of  Stirling  and  Devon,  Hereditary  Lieu- 
teiiant-General  and  Lord  Proprietor  of 
Canada  Nova-Scotia.  By  John  L.  Hays, 
(runout  facsimile  of  the  original  grant.) 
8vo.    pp.  52  and  76.    95  00. 

Washington,  1853. 
ALEXANDER  AND  RUFUS,  or  a  Series  of 
Dialogues  on  Church  Communion,  In  two 
parts.  The  first,  being  a  vindication  of 
Scriptural  Church  Communion  in  oppo- 
sition to  Latitudinarian  schemes.  The 
second,  being  a  Defence  of  the  Com- 


munion maintained  in  the  Secession 
Church.    Svo.    pp.  461.    $3  00. 

Pittsburgh,  1820. 
ALLEN,  WILLIAM.  An  Address  delivered 
at  Northampton,  Mass.,  on  the  evening 
of  October  29,  1854,  in  commemoration 
of  the  close  of  the  Second  Century,  since 
the  settlement  of  the  town.  8vo.  pp. 
56.    $1  00.  Northampton,  1855. 

AMERICA,  CONSTITUTIONS  of  the  several 
Independent  States  of ;  The  Declaration 
of  Independence  ;  The  Articles  of  Con- 
federation between  said  States  ;  The  Trea- 
tise between  his  most  Christian  Majesty 
and  the  United  States  of  America  Pub- 
lished by  order  of  Congress,  1782.  The 
Rights  of  Great  Britain  asserted  against 
the  Claims  of  America  ;  being  an  answer 
to  the  Declaration  of  the  General  Con- 
gress. The  ninth  Edition  to  which  is 
now  added  a  further  Refutation  of  Dr. 
Price's  state  of  the  National  Department. 
A  Declaration  of  the  Representatives  of 
the  Colonies  of  North  America,  now  met 
in  General  Congress.  Articles  of  Con- 
federation and  perj>etual  Union  by  the 
Colonies.  A  Refutation  of  Dr.  Price,  &c, 
&c,  all  in  one  vol.    Svo.    Calf.    $5  00. 

London,  1776-S2. 
AMERICAN.     Dialogues  of  the  American 
Dead.    8vo.    pp.  43.    $1  00. 

Philadelphia,  1814. 
The  interlocutors  in  these  Dialogues,  are  Wash- 
ington, Jllfrcd,   William  Tell,   Hamilton  and 
Fisher  Ames. 

AMERICAN  ETHNOLOGICAL  SOCIETY, 
Transactions  of.  2  vols.  8vo.  pp.  505, 
637.  Maps.  $5  00.  New  York,  1845-48. 
AMERICAN  REGISTER,  The,  or  General 
Repository  of  History,  Politics,  and 
Science,  from  1806  to  1810.  7  vols. 
8vo.    $8  50.  Philadelphia,  1807. 

AMERICAN  STATE  PAPERS.  Documents, 
Legislative  and  Executive,  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  from  the  first 
Session  commencing  March  3,  1789,  to 
March  3,  1823.  Selected  and  edited 
under  the  authority  of  Congress  by  Wal- 
ter Loicrie,  Secretary  of  the  Senate,  and 
Matthew  St.  Clare  Clark,  Clerk  of  the 
House  of  Representatives.  21  vols.  Fol. 
Half  bound  in  Russia.    $250  00. 

Washington,  1832-34. 
This  publication  is  classified  as  follows,  namely: 
Vols.  1,  2,  3,4,  Foreign  Relations;  5,  6,  Indian 
Affairs;  7,8,9,  Finance;  10,  11,  Commerce 
and  Navigation ;  12,  13,  Military  Affairs;  14, 
Naval  Affairs;  15,  Post  Office;  16,  17,  18, 
Public  Lands;  19,  Claims;  20  and  21,  -Miscel- 
lanies. 

AMERIGO  VESPUCCI.  Elogio  che  ha  ripor- 
tato  il  premio  Dalla  Nobile  Aeeademia 
etrusca  Di  Cortona,  Nel  di  15,  Ottobre 
dell'  anno  1788.  Con  una  dissertazione 
Giustification  di  questo  celebre  Navig.i- 
tore  del  P.  Stanislao,  lanovai  delle  scuole 
pie  pubblico  professere  di  fisica-matema- 


OF  AMERICAN  HOOKS. 


tica.  Terza  Edizione  con  Illustrazione 
ed  Aggiunto,  a  con  una  Soconda  Disser- 
tazioiie  sullo  Vicende  delle  Longittnlini 
Geograsiche.  4to.  pp.  75.  82  00.  1790. 
A  SERMON,  Preached  at  tho  Consecration 
of  the  Right  Reverend  Dr.  Samuel  Sea- 
bury,  Bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
Connecticut.  Hy  a  Bishop  of  the  Kjiis- 
copal  Church  of  Scotland.  8vo.  pp.  50. 
$1  .r>0.    Rare.  Aberdeen,  1785. 

ASHLEY,  JOHN.  Memoirs  and  Considera- 
tions OOBOerniag  the  Trade  and  Revenues 
of  the  British  Colonies  in  America,  with 
proposals  for  rendering  these  Colonies 
more  beneficial  to  Great  Britain.  8vo. 
pp.  ICO.  H'lfbd.  $3.  London,  1740. 
ARISTIDES.  Essays  on  the  spirit  of  Jack- 
souism,  as  exemplified  in  its  deadly  hos- 
tility to  the  Rank  of  the  United  States, 
and  In  the  odious  calumnies  employed 
for  its  destruction.    8vo.    pp.151.  §5. 

Philadelphia,  1835. 
The  Essays  by  Aristides  are  a  collection  of 
violent,  perhaps  truthful  and  conscientious  attacks 
on  General  Jackson,  hut  more  especially  on  the 
incessant  and  unrelenting  war  he  waged  against 
the  United  States  Hank.  But  it  would  appear 
that  the  performance  did  not  convert  the  old  hero, 
for  he  persecuted  that  institution  till  he  finally 
overturned  it,  and  icith  its  fall  thousanls  were 
ruined  hy  consequence  of  having  their  all  in- 
vested in  it.  Whin  in  full  blast  and  good  credit 
the  sham  sold  for  $125. 00,  and  when  wound  up 
$1.50.  The  author  of  this  pungent  treatise  was 
Col.  Thomas  L.  MrKinney,  well  known  at  an 
author  of  aboriginal  history,  biography  and  an- 
tii/uities,  and  his  connection  with  General  Cass 
during  his  governorship  of  the  north-western  ter- 
ritory, and  their  tour  throughout  the  same;  as 
well  as  with  the  Indian  department  at  the  seat  of 
Government.  He  evidently  had  a  very  bad 
opinion  of  General  Juclcson,  whom  he  knew  inti- 
mately. He  characterises  him  as  possessing  few 
or  no  virtues  ami  stained  with  almost  every 
negative  and  many  positive  vices.  He  was  the 
greatest  despot  that  ever  wielded  power  ;  ignorant, 
proud,  obstinate,  hrail-strong,  wilful,  jealous, 
deceitful,  implacable,  unforgiving,  vindictive, 
and  ferociously  revengful,  at  once  the  dupe  and 
head  of  a  hollow-hearted  and  domineering  party. 
He,  Col.  Mcl\inncy,  was  an  amiable,  genial, 
warm  hearted  man,  often  generous  to  his  own 
injury.  In  conversation  he  ira«  profuse  in  anec- 
dote, historical,  bie>graphii:al  and  miscellaneous. 
In  personal  appearance  he  was  tall,  and  erect  in 
gait  as  a  West  Point  cadet ;  florid  complexion, 
and  u  physiogonomy  resembling  Julius  Ceesar  ; 
his  hair  white  and  glistening  as  threads  of  silver; 
in  short  he  was  the  perfect  type  of  a  noble-looking 
old  soldier. 

He  died  in  the  spring  of  1S59,  after  a  sickness 
of  not  more  than  three  or  Jour  days,  of  erysipelas, 
and  what  is  remarkable  not  a  single  paper  in 
the  city  of  New  York  noticed  the  death  of  a  man 
who  had  done  much  meritorious  service  for  his 
country  both  as  a  soldier  and  an  author.  Thus 
verifying  the  old  adage,  "  Out  of  sight,  out  of 


mind.'"  fitd  he  been  in  office  his  death  and 
biography  irould  have  been  soundul  from  north 
ti  south  and  from  New  York  to  California,  but 
he  hail  long  since  retired  from  public  life  into  the 
shade  of  retirement.    Hence  this  neglu  t. 

 Western  Memorabilia. 

BAYLBT,  RICHARD.  An  Account  of  the 
Epidemic  Fever  which  prevailed  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  during  part  of  the 
Summer  and  Fall  of  1795.  8vo.  Calf, 
pp.  1C0.    S2  50  New  York,  179G. 

BERKSHIRE  JUBILEE,  Celebrated  at  Pitts- 
field,  Mass.,  Aug.  22  and  23,  1844.  8vo. 
pp.  244.    8  plates.    $1.     Albany,  1845. 
Contents. — Sermon  by  Mark  Hopkins.  A 
Poem  by  William  Allen.     Oration  by  Joshua 
Spencer.     Recollections  of  Berkshire  Indians,  by 
Thomas  Allen.    Literature  of  Berkshire.  Names 
of  the  Emigrant  Sons  of  Berkshire.  Besides 
many  minor  pieces  in  lioth  prose  and  jnclry. 
BLAIR,    JAMES    (OF    VIRGINIA)  Our 
Savior's  Divine  Sermons  on  the  Mount 
Explained  in  divers  Sermons  and  Dis- 
courses.   4  vols.   7vo.  Calf,  neat.  $10. 

London,  1740. 

"  our  author  has,  in  my  opinion,  very 

aptly  joined  the  Commentator,  Preacher,  and 

Casuist,  all  in  one  how  happy  a 

talent  the  author  had  in  deciding  points  of  great 
moment,  in  a  very  few  and  plain  words,  but  the 
result  of  deep  consideration,  and  discovering  a 
great  compass  of  thought." — Dr.  Waterland. 
BONAPARTE,    CHARLES    LUCIAN.  A 
Geographical  and  Comparative  List  of 
the  Birds  of  Europe  and  North  America. 
Svo.    pp.  G7.    $2  00.       London,  1838. 
BRADAEN,  LOUIS.    The  Early  Peopling  of 
America,  and  its  Discovery  before  the 
time  of  Columbus.  12mo.  pp.  48.  $1  50. 

New  York,  1847. 
BRITISH  SPY.    The  Letters  of  the.  Origi- 
nally published  in  tho  Virginia  Argus, 
in  August  and  September,  1803.  Third 
edition.    18rao.    pp.  128.    $1  50. 

Richmond,  1805. 
BROWN,  CHARLES  B.    Wieland  the  Trans- 
former.    An  American   Tale.  12mo. 
pp.  298.    (Original  edition.)    $2  00. 

New  York,  179S. 
BUCANIERS.    The  History  of  the  Bueaniers 
of  America.    2  vols.    18mo.    $4  00. 

London,  1774. 

BUNGAY  GEORGE  W.  Crayon  Sketches 
and  Off-hand  Takings,  Distinguished 
American  Statesmen,  Orators,  Divines, 
Essayists,  Editors,  Poets,  and  Philan- 
thropists.   12mo.    pp.  15C.    75  cts. 

Boston,  1852. 

BUNYAN  JOHN.     The  Pilgrims'  Progress 
from  this  World  to  that  which  is  to 
come.       With    remarkable  engravings. 
18mo.    pp.  1GG.    $3  50.    Boston,  1744. 
This  is  without    doubt  the  first  American 
edition  of  the  world  renowned  "  Pilgrims's  pro- 
gress," and  the  engravings  must  be  amongst  the 
first,  if  not  the  very  first  specimen  of  American 
engraving. 


GOWANS  CATALOGUE 


BUSHNELL,  CHARLES  L  An  Arrangement 
of  Tradesmen's  Cards,  Political  Tokens, 
also,  Election  Medals,  Medalets,  &c, 
current  in  the  United  States  of  America 
for  the  last  sixty  years,  described  from 
the  originals,  chiefly  in  the  collection  of 
the  author.  With  Engravings.  8vo. 
pp.118.    $3  00.  New  York,  1858. 

CAMPBELL,  A.  A  Connected  View  of  the 
Principles  and  Rules  by  which  the  Living 
Oracles  may  be  intelligibly  and  certainly 
interpreted  ;  of  the  foundation  on  which 
all  Christians  may  form  one  Communion; 
and  of  the  Capital  Positions  sustained  in 
the  attempt  to  restore  the  Original  Gos- 
pel and  order  of  tilings;  containing  the 
Principal  Extras  of  the  Millennial  Har- 
binger, revised  and  corrected.  12mo. 
pp.408.  $1.60.  Bethany,  Va.,  1835. 
CARTER,  ST.  LEGER  L.  Nugae,  by  Nu- 
gator,  or  Pieces  in  Prose  and  Verse. 
ISmo.    pp.  215.    $1  25. 

Baltimore,  1844. 
The  above  volume  contains  several  ingenious 
parodies  on  well  known  English  poems,  a  poem 
on  lobaeeo,  one  on  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  and 
several  describing  local  scenes  in  Virginia;  be- 
sides several  prose  pieces,  biographical,  critical, 
and  historical. 

CATALOGUES.  Bibliothecie  Harvardiana? 
Cantabrigise  Nov-Anglorum.  8vo.  pp. 
358.    $2  00.  Bostonisp,  17'J0. 

CENSUS.  Aggregate  amount  of  each  descrip- 
tion of  Persons  in  the  United  States  and 
th<-ir  territories,  according  to  the  Census 
of  1820.    8vo.    pp.  49.    $1  00.  1820. 

CENSUS.  (The  Fifth  U.  S.  Census.)  Or 
Enumeration  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
United  States,  1830.  To  which  is  pre- 
fixed a  Schedule  of  the  whole  number  of 
Persons  within  the  several  Districts  of 
the  United  States,  taken  according  to  the 
Acts  of  1790,  1S00,  1810,  1820.  Pub- 
lished by  authorit  v  of  an  act  of  Congress. 
Folio.    83  50.     '      Washington,  1832. 

CENSUS  U.  S.  Statistical  View  of  the  Popu- 
lation of  the,  from  1790  to  1830,  inclu- 
sive. Furnished  by  the  Department  of 
State,  in  accordance  with  Resolutions  of 
of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  on  the 
2Gth  of  February,  1833,  and  31st  of 
March,  1834.    Folio,    pp.  216.    $2  00. 

Washington,  1835. 

CENSUS.  (The  Sixth  U.  S.)  Or  Enumera- 
tion of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  United 
States,  as  corrected  at  the  Department  of 
State,  in  1840.    Folio.    $3  50. 

Washington,  1841. 

CENSUS  of  the  State  of  New  York,  for 
1835.  Containing  an  Enumeration  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  State,  with  other 
Statistical  Information,  in  pursuance  of 
Chapter  3d  of  the  first  part  of  the  Re- 
vised Statutes,  and  of  the  Act  amending 
the  same,  passed  on  the  lGth  March, 
1835.    Folio.    $2  00.       Albany,  1836. 


CENSUS  (U.  S.).  The  Seventh.  4to.  pp. 
1158.    Half  bound  in  russia.    86  00. 

Washington,  1832. 

CENSUS  of  the  State  of  New  York  for 
1845.  Containing  an  Enumeration  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  State,  with  some 
other  Statistical  Information,  in  pursu- 
ance of  Chapter  3d  of  the  first  part  of 
the  Revised  Statutes,  and  of  the  Act 
amending  the  same,  passed  on  the  7th  of 
Mav,  1845.    Folio.    $3  00. 

Albanv,  1846. 

CENSUS  of  the  State  of  New  York  for  1855. 
Prepared  from  the  Original  Returns,  by 
Franklin  B.  Hough.  Folio,  pp.  597. 
83  00.  Albany,  1857. 

CENTRAL  AMERICA.  Brief  Statement, 
supported  by  Original  Documents,  of  the 
Important  Grants  conceded  to  the  East- 
ern Coast  of  Central  America,  Commer- 
cial and  Agricultural  Company,  by  the 
State  of  Guatemala  With  a  Map  of  the 
Territory  of  Vera  Paz,  and  another  of 
the  Port  of  Pan  Tomas.  8vo.  pp  137. 
2  maps.    82  00.  London,  1839. 

CIIILDS.    (Sir  Joshua.)    New  Discourse  on 
Trade,  wherein  is  recommended  several 
weighty  points  relating  to  Companies  of 
Merchants,  Navigation,  Wool  l<-n  Manu- 
factures,   Nature    of    Plantations,  &c. 
Small  8vo.    Bound.    $5  00.  1694. 
The  author  speaks  thus  of  the  early  settlers  of 
the  North  American  Colonies :    "New  England, 
originally  inhabited  aud  since  replenished  by  a 
sort  of  people  called  Puritans,    Virginia  and 
Barbadoe  first  peopled  by  a  sort  of  loose  vagrant 
peop'e,  vinous,  and  destitute  of  means  to  live." 
Newfoundland,  Jamaica,  fyc,  are  treated  on  in 
a  like  manner. 

CHRONICLES  OF  TURKEYTOWN,  or  the 
Works  of  Jeremy  Peters.  Containing 
the  History  of  a  Dreadful  Catastrophe 
and  Amours  of  Dr.  Potts  and  Mrs. 
Peweetle,  and  the  History  of  a  Tatterde- 
malion.   12mo.    pp.  238.    81  25. 

Philadelphia,  1829. 
CLARK,  PflTER .  A  Defense  of  the  Divine 
Right  of  Infant  Baptism,  l>eing  in  reply 
to  Dr.  John  Gills'  book  entitled.  The  Di- 
vine Right  of  Infant  Baptism  Examined 
and  Disproved.    8vo.    pp.  464.    83  00. 

Boston,  N.  B.|  1752. 
CLAYTON,  JOHANNES.     Flora  Virginica 
Exhibens  Plantas.     Qua.  V.  C.  Ed. 
Joh.  Frea  Gronoveus.    8vo.    85  00. 

Lugduni,  1739. 
***  This  is  the  first  treatise  on  botany  written 
in  America. 

CLINTON,  SIR  HENRY.  An  Answer  to  the 
part  of  the  Narrative  which  relates  to 
Earl  Cornwallis'  campaign  during  the 
war  of  North  America.  8vo.  pp.  268. 
Uncut.    82  00.  London,  1783. 

COBBETT,  WILLIAM.  The  Life  of  Tho:i.as 
Paine,  interspersed  with  Remarks  and 
Reflections.  By  Peter  Porcupine.  12mo. 
pp.  60.    82  00.        Philadelphia,  1797. 


/ 


OF  AMERICAN  BOOKS. 


5 


COLCROKT,  HENRY  ROEVE.  Allialla;  or 
the  Lord  of  Talladego.  A  Tale  of  the 
Ore.'k  War.    12mo.    pp.  118.    %\  50. 

New  York,  1843. 
Henry  Ii.  Schoolcraft  wat  the  author  of  the 
poem  named  above.  At  the  time  of  publication 
it  would  appear  he  adopted  the  name  of  Colcraft, 
which  hat  subsequently  been  abandoned  for  hit 
present  cognomen. 

COLDBN,  CADWALLADER.     An  Explana- 
tion of  the  First  Causes  of  Action  and 
Matter  ;  and  of  the  Cause  of  Gravitation. 
8vo.    pp.  75.    810  00.    New  York,  piint- 
ed,  174').    London,  reprinted,  174(5. 
TTiis  it  trithout  doubt  an  uncommonly  rare 
boik.    No  copy  of  it  is  known  to  belong  to  any 
public  library  in  the  country.     It  jMtsesses  con- 
tideiable  interest  from  the  /act  that  it  is  an  curly 
New  York  production,  by  so  celebrated  a  person- 
age as  the  last  Lieutenant-  Colonel  Governor  of  the 
Province.     It  is  bound  trith  other  four  tracts  ON 
(I  kindred  ttibject. 

GOLDEN,  CADWALLADER  D.  Memoir, 
Prepared  at  the  Request  of  a  Committee 
of  the  Common  Council  of  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  presented  to  the  Mayor 
of  the  city,  at  the  Celehration  of  (lie 
Completion  of  the  New  York  Canals. 
4to.  pp.  406.  Half  calf,  5  portraits  ; 
•     34  plates;  5  maps  ;  12  fac-shnile  letters. 

$10  00.  New  York,  1825. 

COLUMBIAN  MAGAZINE,  THE.  Or  Month- 
ly Miscellany.  From  the  commence- 
ment, Sept.,  17S6  to  Dec,  1792,  inclu- 
sive. Complete,  with  the  exception  of 
the  last  six  numbers  of  1790.  7  vols. 
8vo.    Excessively  rare.    $00  00. 

Philadelphia,  1786,  1782. 
This  it  the  first  Magazine  published  in  America 
after  the  Revolution.  It  it  adornid  with  a  num- 
ber of  portraits,  views,  local  maps,  Sec,  (;c.  It 
hat  become  very  scarce  /  indeed,  complete  copies 
could  not  be  procured. 

CONVENTION  OF  DELEGATES,  Minutes  of 
the,  from  the  Synod  of  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  and  from  the  Associations 
of  Connecticut.  Held  annually  from  1706 
to  1775,  inclusive.  8vo.  pp.  68.  75 
cts.  Hartford,  1843. 

COX,  DANIEL.  A  Description  of  the  Eng- 
lish Province  of  Carolina,  by  the  Span- 
iards called  plnrida,  and  by  the  Freneh 
La-Louisiana  ;  and  also  of  the  Great  and 
Famous  River  Meschacebe  or  Missisipi ; 
the  Five  vast  Navigable  Lakes  of  Fresh 
Warter,  and  the  Parts  Adjacent.  To- 
gether with  an  Account  of  the  Com- 
modities of  the  Growth  and  Production 
of  the  said  Province,  and  a  Preface  con- 
taining some  Considerations  on  the  Con- 
sequences of  the  French  making  Settle- 
ments there.  12mo.  Old  calf,  neat, 
pp.  174.  Witli  2  maps.  London,  1727. 
In  fine  condition,  $5  00. 

CROTON  WATER  Report,  various. 

New  York,  1833-45. 


CUSICK,  DAVID     Sketches  of  Ancient  His- 
tory of  the  .Six  Nutiont,  comprising  first, 
A  Tale  of  the  Foundation  of  the  lireat 
Island   (now  North  America),  the  two 
Infants  Horn,  and  the  creation  of  the 
Universe;  Second,  A  Real  account  of 
the  Early  Settlers  of  North  Americ  a,  and 
their  Descendants;  Third,  Origin  of  the 
kingdom  of  the  Five  Nations,  which  was 
called  A  Long  House  ;  The  wars  Heme 
animals,  &c,  with  four  rude  wood  cuts. 
8vo.    pp.  35.    $6  00.     Lockport,  1S4S. 
What  investt  this  pamphlet  with  more  than 
ordinary  interest,  it  the  fact  of  itt  being  the  pro- 
duction  of  a  pure  blooded  North  American  In- 
dian, belonging  to  one  of  the  Tribes  of  the  Five 
Nations,   whose  scanty  remnants  now  inhabit 
Western  New  York  and  Canada       Of  court! 
Cusirk  had  a  certain  amount  of  education,  at 
many  of  his  tribe  have,  or  he  could  not  have  pro- 
duced this  pamphlet,  defective  as  it  is  in  oitho- 
eraphy  and  syntax.     It  has  become  extremely 
scarce;  so  mtnh  to  that  a  veteran  book  collector 
informed  me  that  he  made  a  journey,  fiom  Albany 
to  Lockport,  a  distance  of  over  three  hundred 
miles,  and  then  hireil  a  Carriage  to  take  him 
twenty  miles  into  the  inteiior,  where  Cusick  had 
spent  the  latter  portion  of  his  life,  solely  for  the 
jturpose  of  olitaining  a  copy;  but   his  ejfoits 
proved  unsucassful  ,•  no  coj>y  could  he  find  among 
the  Indians  or  any  of  the  whitct  inhabiting  this 
region.    He  tried  to  induce  an  old  chief  to  pro- 
cure and  send  him  the  book  some  future  day,  by 
placing  in  his  hand  five  dollars.    He  added,  with 
evident  disapjmintmcnt,  "  I  have  never  heard  of 
the  book,  the  five  dollars,  nor  the  old  chief,  to  this 

Jay."  Western  Memorabilia. 

D'HERRERA,  ANTOINE.  Histoire  Generate 
des  voyages  et  cono,uestes  des  Castillans 
dans  Isles  &  Terre-Ferme  des  Indes  Oc- 
cidentales.  Par  N.  De  La  Coste.  Ou 
Pon  voit  la  prise  de  la  grande  ville  de 
Mexique,  &c.    4to.    pp.  1818.  $5. 

Paris,  1671. 

DAGGETT,  NAPIITALI.  The  faithful  serv- 
ing of  God  and  our  generation,  the  only 
Way  to  a  peaceful  and  happy  Death.  A 
Sermon  occasioned  by  the  death  of  The 
Rev.  Thomas  Clap,  (  President  of  Yale 
college,  in  New  Haven,)  who  departed 
this  life  Jan.  7th,  1767  ;  Delivered  in  tin' 
colledge-chapel  Jan.  8th.  4to.  pp.  38. 
$3  00.  New  Hav  -n,  1767. 

DAVENPORT,  JOHN.  The  Power  of  Con- 
gregational Churches  asserted  and  vindi- 
cated. In  answer  to  a  Treatise  of  Mr.  J 
Paget,  Intituled  The  Defence  of  Church 
Government,  exercised  in  Classes  and 
Synods.    ISmo.    pp.  187.    $10  00. 

London,  1672. 
E.  B.  Conrin's  ropy  sold  for  $12. 

DERATES  in  the  House  of  Delegates  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  December,  1798,  on  Resolutions 
before  the  House  on  the  Acts  of  Congress, 
called  the  Alien  and  Sedition  Laws.  8vo. 
pp.  182.  Richmond,  1829.  The  Reso- 
lutions of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  Penn- 


6 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


ed  by  Madison  and  Jefferson,  in  Relation 
to  the  Alien  and  Sedition  Laws.  8vo. 
pp.  76.    The  two  bound  in  one.    $2  50. 

Richmond,  1826. 

DE  CORDOVA,  J.  Observations  and  Laws 
Relating  to  Texas  Lands,  and  claims 
against  the  Late  Republic  of  Texas,  by 
J.  De  Cordova,  General  Land  Agent. 
12mo.    pp.  15.    75  cts.      Texas,  1848. 

DELAPLAINK'S  Repository  of  the  Lives  and 
Portraits  of  Distinguished  American 
Characters.  4to.  3  parts  in  one  volume. 
18  Portraits.  Frontispiece,  pp.  348.  $6. 

Phil'a,  1815. 

DENTON,  DANIEL.  A  Brief  History  of 
New  York,  formerly  New  Netherlands. 
A  new  edition,  with  copious  notes,  by  the 
Hon.  Gabriel  Furman.  8vo.  Fine  Paper, 
cloth.    $1  00.  New  York,  1845 

DENTON,  DANIEL.  A  Brief  History  of  New 
York,  formerly  New  Netherlands.  New 
edition,  with  copious  notes,  by  the  Hon. 
Gabriel  Furman.   4to.    Fine  Paper.  06. 

New  York,  1845. 
Only  100  copies  were  printed  upon  paper  of 

quarto  size. 

"This  is  the  first  printed  inscription,  in  the 
English  language,  of  the  country  noir  forming 
the  wealthy  and  populous  States  <f  New  York 
and  New  Jersey,-  but  being  under  one  government 
at  that  time  (1670).  Jlnd  so  great  was  the  rarity 
of  this  book,  that  until  the  importation  of  the 
volume  from  which  this  small  edition  has  been 
printed,  but  two  copies  wre  known  to  exist  in  the 
United  States  ;  enxc  in  the  State  Library  at  .Al- 
bany, and  the  other  in  the  Collection  of  Harvard 
University. 

A  copy  of  the  original  edition  was  lately  sold 

at  a  public  sale  in  the  city  for  $31  !  !  ! 

DEXTER,  LORD  TIMOTHY  (the  first  and  only 
American  Loid).  The  Life  of,  embracing 
Sketches  of  the  Eccentric  Characters 
that  composed  his  associates,  by  Bonne] 
L.  Knapp,  including  his  Lordship's 
"Pickles  for  the  Knowing  Ones,  or  Plain 
Truths  in  a  Homspun  Dress.  Rude  Por- 
trait in  full  length.  ISmo.  pp.  143.  $2. 
Verv  rare.  Newburvport,  1848. 

DISH  OF  FKOOS,  THE.  A  Dramatic  Sketch, 
Presented  to  his  Royal  Highness,  the 
Prince  of  Imu.  By  Monsieur  Soupetard. 
18mo.    pp  28.    Wl.     New  York,  1839. 

DOBBS,  ARTHUR.  An  account  of  the 
countries  adjoining  to  Hudson's  Bay,  in 
the  north-west  part  of  America,  contain- 
ing a  description  of  their  Lakes  and 
Rivers,  the  Nature  of  the  Soil  and  Cli- 
mates, anil  their  Methods  of  Commerce, 
&c.  4to.  pp.  211.  $3.  London,  1744. 
This  Book  contains  a  short  Vocabulary  of  the 

Language  spoke  among  the  Northern  Indians 

inhabiting  the  north-west  part  of  Hudson's  Bay. 

DRAKE,  SIR  FRANCIS.  Reviued  calling 
upon  the  Dull  or  Effeminate  Age,  to  fol- 
owe  his  Noble  Steps  for  Golde  &  Silver, 
by  this  Memorable  Relation,  of  the  Rare 
occurrances  (never  yet  declared  to  the 


World)  in  a  third  voyage  made  by  him 
into  the  West  Indies,  in  the  Years  72  & 
73.  Faithfully  taken  out  of  the  Reporte 
of  Mr.  Christofer  Ceely,  Ellis,  Hixon, 
and  others  who  were  in  the  same  Voyage 
with  him.  By  Philip  Nichols,  Preacher. 
Reviewed  also  by  Sr  Francis  Drake  him- 
selfe,  before  bis  Death.  4to.  pp.  101. 
15  pp.  MSS.    $5  50.        London,  1626. 

DU  TERTRE,  DEAN  BAPTISTE.  Histoire 
Generale,  des  Isles  des  Christophe,  de  la 
Guadeloupe,  de  la  Martinique,  et  autres 
dans  L'Amerique.  Ou  Ton  verra  l'es- 
tablissement  des  Colonies  Francoises, 
dans  ces  Isles ;  leurs  guerres  Ciuiles  & 
Estrangers,  &  tout  ce  quise  passe  dans  les 
voyages  &  retours  des  Indes.  Comme 
aussi  plusienrs  belles  particularitez  des 
An'.isles  de  l'Ainerique.  Une  description 
generale  de  1'Isle  de  la  Guadeloupe  ;  de 
tous  ses  Mineraux,  de  ses  Pierreries,  de 
8es  Riuieres.  Fontaines  &  KntOTgli;  &  de 
toutes  ses  Plantes.  4to.  pp  481.  Map. 
$5  00  Paris,  1054. 

EDSALL,  BENJ.  B  ,  and  Rev.  I.  F.  Tuttle. 
The  First  Sussex  Centennary,  containing 
the  Addresses  of.  With  Notes,  Appen- 
dix, &c.    Svo.    pp.  102.    $1  50. 

Newark,  1S54. 

ELLIOT,  JO  IN,  &  SAMUEL  JOHNSON.  A 
Dictionary,    com  prising    the  choisesl 
words  found  in  the  best  English  Authors. 
2ded.  Sm.pock't4to.  $3.  Suffield,  1S00. 
This  early  attempt  at  compiling  an  Anglo- 
American  Dictionary  appears  to  be  recommendid 
by  Theodore  Dwx^ht,  Noah  Webster,  Benjamin 
Trumbull,  D.  D.,  and  sixteen  other  notables. 
It  it  quite  a  curiosity  in  American  lexicography. 
FANNY,   CONTINUED.     (A   Poem)  8vo. 
pp.  20.    $5  00.  New  York,  1820. 

This  ingenious  imitation  and  continuation  of 
one  of  the  most  celebrated  American  poems,  Fanny, 
was  written  by  Isaac  S.  Clnson,  author  of  the 
XVII  it  XVHI  Cantos  of  Don  Juan  Horace 
in  New  York,  $c. 

FENKLON  (Archbishop  of  Cambry).  Disser- 
tation on  Pure  Love  with  an  account  of 
the  Life  and  Writings  of  a  Lady,  for 
whose  s:ike  the  Archbishop  was  banished 
from  court,  and  the  grievous  persecutions 
she  suffered  i'i  France  for  her  religion, 
also  Two  Letters  written  by  one  of  the 
Lady's  maids,  during  her  confinement 
in  the  Castle  of  Vicennes,  where  she 
was  a  prisoner  for  eight  years ;  one  of 
the  letters  was  writ  with  a  Bit  of  Stick 
instead  of  a  Pen,  and  Soot  instead  of 
Ink,  to  her  brother  ;  the  other  to  a  Cler- 
gyman, together  with  an  Apologetic  Pre- 
face, containing  divers  Letters  of  the 
Archbishop  of  Cambry,  to  the  Duke  of 
Burgundy,  the  present  French  King's 
Father,  and  other  persons  of  distinc- 
tion :  also  divers  Letters  of  the  Lady  to 
Persons  of  Quality,  relating  to  her  Reli- 
gious Principles.  12  mo.  Old  calf.  pp. 
217.    $3  00.       Germantown,  Pa.  1750. 


OF  AMERICAN  nOOKS. 


FIELD,  DAVID  D.  The  Genealogy  of  the 
Brainnrd  Family,  in  the  United  States, 
with  Sketches  of  Individuals.  Five  Por- 
traits. 8vo.  pp.  303.  $5.  N.  York,  1857. 

FIELDS,  JAMES  T.  Poems.  1G  mo.  pp. 
128.  Printed  on  thick  paper,  and  hound 
in  olive  morocco.  Presentation  copy  to 
Rufus  W.  Griswold,  with  the  author's  au- 
tograph.   Privately  printed.    $3  00. 

Cambridge,  Sine  Anno 

FINDLEY,  WILLIAM.  Observations  on"Tho 
two  Sons  of  Oil,"  containing  a  vindica- 
tion of  the  American  Constitutions,  and 
defending  the  blessings  of  Religious  Li- 
berty and  Toleration,  against  the  illiln-ral 
strictures  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  B.  Wylie. 
12  mo.  pp.  366.  $2.     Pittsburgh,  1812. 

FOX,  GEORGE  Memoirs  of  the  Life  of,  Bv 
Henry  Tuke.  12mo.  pp.  327.    $1  00. 

Philadelphia,  181.1. 
It  is  not  generally  known  that  the  venerable 

George  Fox  teas  quite  a  voluminous  icritcr.  But 

so  ht  was.     The  list  of  his  published  Treatises 

amounts  to  no  less  than  115;  all  of  which  are 

enumerated  at  the  entl  of  Tuke'*  Life  of  him. 

FRANKLIN,  BENJAMIN,  The  Works  of. 
6  vols.    8vo.    Boards.    $6  75. 

Philadelphia,  1S19. 

FRANKLIN,  BENJAMIN.  Rules  for  Reduc- 
ing a  Great  Empire  to  a  small  one.  To 
which  is  subjoined  the  Declaration  of 
Independence     8vo.    pp.  10.    $1  00. 

London,  1793. 

FRANKLIN,  BENJAMIN.  M.  T.  Cicero's 
Cato  Major,  or  discourse  on  Old  Age. 
Addressed  to  Titus  Pomponius  Atticus, 
With  explanatory  notes.  Bv  Benj. Frank- 
lin, LL.  D.  8vo."  Boards.  "$3  00. 

London,  1778. 

FRIENDLY  ADDRESS,  The.  To  all  Reason- 
ably Americans,  on  the  Subject  of  our 
Political  Confusions  ;  carefully  abridged 
from  the  original.    8vo.  pp.  24.  $2  00. 

New  York,  1774. 
FRIBBLETON,  GEORGE.    Ex-Barber  to  his 
Majesty  the  king  of  Great  Britain.  Tra- 
vels in  America.    12mo.  pp.  216.  $150. 

New  York,  1833. 
This  is  one  among  the  very  many  spirited  and 
clever  imitations  of  the  renowned  Baron  Mun- 
chausen's Travels.  The  object  of  the  author  icas 
to  hold  up  to  ridicule  the  many  European  Tour- 
ists who  have,  from  time  to  time,  visited  Ame- 
rica and  published  the  results  of  their  experien- 
ces, observations,  and  disappointments,  frequent- 
ly rather  wvle  of  the  truth.  The  Author's  name 
teas  Asa  Greene,  M.  D.  who  had  been  brought 
up  in  New  England  to  the  Medical  profession, 
but  not  succeeding  in  the  calling  removed  to  New 
York  about  1S30.  Here  he  commenced  Editor, 
Author  and  Bookseller.  For  some  time  he  con- 
ducted a  popular  penny  paper  entitled  the  Tran- 
script. He  was  author  of  several  books,  among 
them,  the  best  known  is  the  Adventures  of  Dodimus 
Duckworth,  the  quack  Steam  Doctor.  Perhaps  no 
American  author  of  his  time  surpassed  him  in 
quaint,  genuine  humor.    The  last  named  book  ex- 


hibits exquisite  specimens  of  these  traits,  as  well  as 
his  travels  of  the  Ex-Barber.  He  teas  found  dead 
in  his  bookstore,  comer  of  Theatre  Alley  and  Beek- 
man  street,  about  1839.  His  death  much  surprised 
his  friends  as  none  of  them  ever  knew  that  he  had 
been  ailing.  In  physiognomy  he  bore  a  strong 
resemUance  to  the  celebrated  Aaron  Burr,  small 
black,  twinkling  eye,  dark,  leathery,  dead  com- 
plexion, add  a  solemn,  sedate  aspect,  seldom  look- 
ing mirthful  or  even  pleased. 

I  Western  Memorabilia. 

GAGE,  THOMAS.  The  English-American, 
his  travail  by  Sea  and  Land  ;  or,  A  New 
Survey  of  the  West  Indies,  containing  A 
Journal!  of  Three  thousand  and  Three 
hundred  Miles  within  the  main  land  of 
America.  Wherein  is  set  forth  his 
Voyage  from  Spain  to  St.  de  John  Vlhua  ; 
and  from  thence  to  Xalappa,  to  Tlaxcalla, 
the  City  of  Angeles,  and  forward  to  Mex- 
ico ;  With  the  description  of  that  great 
city  as  it  was  in  former  times,  and  also 
at  this  present.  Likewise  his  Journey 
from  Mexico  through  the  Provinces  of 
Guaxaca,  Chiapa,  (iautemala,  Vera  r'az, 
Truxillo,  Comayagua ;  witli  his  abode 
Twelve  years  Gautemala,  and  especially 
in  the  Indian-towns  of  Mixco;  Pinola, 
Petapa,  Amatitlam.  Folio.  pp.  236. 
$6  00.  London,  1648. 

GALLAHER,  JAMES.  The  Western  Sketch 
Book.    12mo.    408.  $1.25. 

Boston,  1850. 

GALLATIN,  ALBERT.  A  Sketch  of  the 
Finance  of  the  United  States.  8vo.  pp. 
202.    82  00.  New  York,  1796. 

GARRARD,  LEWIS  II.  Chambersburg  in 
the  Colony  and  the  Revolution.  A 
Sketch.    8vo.    pp.  60.    $1  50. 

Philadelphia,  1856. 
GLENN,  JAMES.  The  Cap  Against  the 
Cowl.  The  Lecture  Room  and  Labora- 
tory Versus  the  Pulpit  and  the  Cloister. 
4to".  pp.  129.  MS.  New  York,  1855. 
GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
An  Exposition  of  the  Weakness  and  In- 
efficiency of.  12mo.  pp.  380.  $5  00 
Unique  Stained.    Privately  Printed. 

Sine  Loco,  1845. 
No  sooner  did  this  book  make  its  appearance  but 
it  was  immediately  called  in  or  supprcssid  on  ac- 
count of  its  libelous  character  against  all  free  go- 
vernments, but  more  especially  that  of  the  United 
States.  The  author's  name  is  unknoirn,  but  it  is 
sup/msed  he  was  at  one  tune  in  high  office  in  the 
American  Government. 

GRAINGER,  JAMES.  The  Sugar  Cane:  a 
poem  in  four  books.  With  notes  and 
frontispiece,  pp.  167.  London,  1764. 
To  which  is  added,  The  ancient  English 
Wake  :  Poem  by  Sir.  Jerningham.  pp. 
21  London,  1779.  Also,  Poems  by  a 
young  Nobleman,  of  Distinguished  Abili- 
ties, lately  deceased ;  Particularly  the 
State  of  England,  and  the  once  flourish- 
ing City  of  London,  In  a  li  tter  from  an 
American   Traveller,   Dated   from  the 


14 


Ruinous  Portico  of  St.  Paul's,  in  the 
Year  2199,  To  a  friend  settled  in  Boston, 
the  Metropolis  of  the  Western  Empire. 
Also,  Sundry  Fugitive  Pieces,  principally 
wrote  whilst  upon  his  Travels  on  the 
continent,  pp.  60.  London,  1780.  In 
one  vol.  4to.  $5  00. 
GRAY,  JAMES.  The  fiend  of  the  Reforma- 
tion detected.  Part  1,  the  two  sophisms 
detected,  which  have  split  the  reformers 
into  calvinist,  arminians,  Redemptional 
universalist,  &c.  Part  2,  a  brief  Review 
of  the  Present  State  of  the  Reformed 
churches  ;  their  controversies,  sermons, 
theological  seminaries,  some  of  the  chief 
causes  of  their  divisions  assigned,  and 
some  hints  suggested  Respecting  the 
cure  of  their  schisms.  8vo.  pp.  144. 
$1  00.  Philadelphia,  1817. 

GREBO  LANGUAGE.  A  brief  Grammatical 
Analvsis  of  the  Grebo  Language.  8vo. 
pp.  36.    1  50. 

Cape  Palmas,  Africa,  1838. 
GREENIIOW,  ROBERT  Memoir,  Historical 
and  Political,  on  the  Northwest  Coast  of 
North  America,  and  the  adjacent  Terri- 
tories  ;  illustrated  by  a  map  and  a  Geo- 
graphical view  of  those  countries.  8vo. 
pr.    pp.  228.    $1  00.  Paper. 

Washington,  1840 
GRIFFITHS,  JOHN.  A  collection  of  the 
Newest  Cotillions,  and  Country  Dances  ; 
principally  composed  by  J.  G.,  Dancing 
Master;  to  which  is  added,  instances  of 
ill-manners,  to  be  carefully  avoided  by 
youth  of  both  Sexes.  Small  4to.  pp. 
15.    $5  00.  Troy,  N.  Y.,  17l»"». 

This  is  the  first  treatise  on  dancing  that  has 
been  printed  and  published  in  the  United  Stairs. 
It  is  quite  a  shabby  pamjMet  both  as  to  typo- 
graphy and  paper.  It  provts  tiro  things,  namely 
that  printing  was  carried  on  at  this  early  day  in 
the  then  village  of  Troy,  probably  then  numliering 
but  a  few  hundreds  of  inliabitants,  now  number- 
ing 36,000  f  and  that  dancing  must  have  then 
been  a  popular  amusemmt,  for  the  village  con- 
tained not  only  a  teacher  of  that  art,  but  pro- 
duced a  treatise  on  the  subject,  which  it  may  be 
softly  asserted  that  no  other  city,  town  or  village 
in  the  United  States  had  done. 
HALCYON  ITINERARY,  THE;  and  the 
Millenium  Messenger.  18mo.  pp.  224. 
$5  00.  Marietta,  Ohio,  1807. 

This  must  be  one  of  tlie  first  books  of  a  miscel- 
laneous character  printed  in  the  Stite  of  Ohio. 

HALCYON  LUMINARY,  THE,  and  Theolo- 
gical Repositary,  a  monthly  Magazine, 
devoted  to  Religion  and  Polite  Literature; 
conducted  By  a  Society  of  Gentlemen, 
hi  2  vols.    8vo.  pp  590-575.    $3  00. 

New  York,  1812. 
This  periodical  was,  in  its  day,  the  organ  of 

New  Jerusalem  church  denomination  in  America. 

It  abounds  with  able  and  interesting  articles. 

The  American  poet,  Woodworlh,  author  of  the 

"  Old  oaken  bucket,"  was,  I  believe,  at  one  time 


co-editor  of  the  work.  It  ended  with  the  termina- 
tion of  the  second  volume ;  a  longer  life  tha  n  more 
than  two-thirds  of  the  American  magazines  en- 
joy. 

HAMILTON,  ALEXANDER.  The  Works  of. 
Comprising  his  correspondence,  and  his 
political  and  official  writings,  exclusive 
of  the  Federalist,  civil  and  military, 
published  from  the  original  manuscripts, 
deposited  in  the  Department  of  State. 
Edited  by  John  C.  Hamilton.  7  vols. 
8vo.  cloth.  $55  00.        New  York,  1851. 

HANCOCK,  JOHN,  Ten  Chapters  in  the 
Life  of.  Originally  published  under  the 
name  of  the  Writings  of  Saco,  in  1789. 
8  vo.  pp.  68.  Cloth,  $3  00.  {Privately 
printed.)  New  York,  1857. 

HARLAN,  RICHARD.  Fauna  Americana; 
being  a  description  of  the  Mammifcrous 
Animals  inhabiting  North  America.  8vo. 
pp.317.  $2  00.         Philadelphia,  1825. 

HASSLER,  FERD.  ROD.  Comparison  of 
Weights  and  Measures,  of  Length  and 
Capacity,  reported  to  the  Sonate  of  the 
United  States  by  the  Treasury  Depart- 
ment in  1832.  8vo.  Half  calf.  pp.  122. 
Plates  $2  00.  Washington,  1832. 

HAWKINS,  THOMAS.  The  Book  of  the 
Great  Sea- Dragons,  Ichthyosauri  and  I'le- 
siosauri,  Gedoliin  Taninim,  of  Moses,  ex- 
tinct monsters  of  the  ancient  earth,  with 
Thirty  large  Plates,  copied  from  skele- 
tons in  the  Author's  collection  of  Fossil 
Organic  Remains.  (Deposited  in  the  Brit- 
ish Museum.)    Large  folio.  $3  00. 

London,  1840. 

HICKS,  ELI  AS.    Journal  of  the  Life  and 

Religious  Labors.    Written  by  himself. 

8vo.  Fine  portrait.  $2  25.  N.  York,  1832. 
HICKS,  ELIAS.    Two  Sermons  delivered  in 

New  York,  1st  mo.  31st,  1830.   8vo.  pp. 

32.  63  cts.  New  York,  1831. 

HICKS,  ELIAS,  The  Last  Letter  of.  Written 

Hugh  Judge,  of  Ohio.  8vo.  pp.6.  50  cts. 

Jericho,  1830. 

Friend  Elias  was  the  Peter  the  Hermit,  the 
Luther,  the  Knox  and  the  ^\'esl^y  among  the 
broad-Lrims  and  drab  coils,  duiing  his  pilgrim- 
age. Like  all  innovators  or  reformers  he  was 
held  up  by  the  party  who  adopted  his  views  and 
sentiments  as  a  genuine  reformer,  as  having 
opened  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  and  as  an  apostle 
little  less  than  St.  Paul,  while  on  the  other  hand, 
those  opposed  to  him  denounced  him  as  a  disturb- 
er of  the  peace,  a  pestilent  fellow,  and  a  coadju- 
tor of  the  devil  Western  Memorabilia. 

HICKCOX,  JOHN  H.  An  Historical  Account 
of  American  Coinage.  Plates.  Royal  8vo. 
pp.  147.  $5  00.  Albany,  1858. 

HOOKER,  THOS.  A  survey  of  the  summe 
of  Church  Discipline.  Wherein  the 
Way  of  the  Churches  of  New  England 
is  warranted  out  of  the  Word,  and  all 
exceptions  of  weight,  which  are  made 
against  it,  answered.  Whereby  also  it 
will  appear  to  the  Judicious  Reader  that 
something  more  must  be  said,  than  yet 


OF  AMERICAN  ROOKS. 


hath  ht'en,  before  their  principles  can  be 
shaken,  or  they  should  be  unsettled  in 
their  practice.  4to.    pp.  479.    $5  00. 

London,  1648. 

HOSMKR,  H.  L.  Early  History  of  the  Mau- 
mee  Valley.    8vo.    pp.  70.    $1  00. 

Toledo,  1858. 

IRVING,  WASHINGTON.  A  History  of  New- 
York,  from  the  beginning  of  the  World 
to  the  end  of  the  Dutch  Dynasty,  contain- 
ing among  many  surprising  and  curi- 
ous matters,  the  unutterable  ponderings 
of  Walter  the  Doubter,  the  Disastrous 
Projects  of  William  the  Testy,  and  the 
Chivalric  Achievements  of  Peter  the 
Headstrong,  the  three  Dutch  Governors 
of  New  Amsterdam,  being  the  only  au- 
thentic history  of  tlie  times  that  ever 
hath  been  published.  2  vols.  12mo.  pp. 
202  and  248.    Portrait  and  a  view  of 
New  York  in  1640.  $5  00.    Phila.  1812. 
This  is  the  second  edition  of  this  remarkable 
book.    It  is  adorned  with  a  full  length  portrait 
of  Dederick  Knickerbocker,  the  fictitious  his- 
torian, and  a  view  of  New  Amsterdam  (now 
Xete  York)  as  it  appeared  about  the  year  1640. 
INDIAN  SPEECH K   AN.     In  Answer  to  a 
sermon  preached  by  aSweedish  Mission- 
ary at  Conastogo,  in  Pennsylvania.  To 
which  is  added  a  brief  account  of  the 
Vision  and  death  of  the  late  Lord  Little- 
ton, also  Lord  Karnes'  Anecdote  of  the 
melancholy  end  of  a  Profligate  Young 
Man.  12mo.  pp.  12.  $1.  Stanford,  1806. 
JOHN  BULL.    The  diverting  history  of  John 
Bull  and  Brother  Jonathan.    By  Hector 
Iiull-us.    ISmo.  pp.  135.  $5  80.  Rough 
Calf, — very  fine  preservation. 

New  York,  1812. 
KENNET,  BASIL.  Twenty  Sermons  preach- 
ed on  several  occasions,  to  a  Society  of 
British  Merchants  in  Foreign  Parts.  8vo. 
Calf.  j.p.  318.  $150.  London,  1727. 
KEY,  FRANCIS  S.  Poems  of  the  late,  au- 
thor of  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner," 
with  an  Introductory  Letter  by  Chief 
Justice  Taney.  12mo.  Mor.  full  gilt, 
verv  neat.  A  splendid  copy.  pp.  203. 
$3  00.  New  York,  1857. 

LATER  FROM  HELL,  or,  Philotheologias- 
tronomos'  eulogism  of  Rev.  Ezra  Stilej 
Ely's  Dream.    8vo.  pp.  30.  75  cts. 

Philadelphia,  1825. 
LEDYARD,  JOHN.  A  Journal  of  Captain 
Cook's  last  Voyage  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
and  in  quest  of  a  North-west  Passage, 
between  Asia  and  America  ;  performed  in 
the  vears  1776,  1777,  1778  and  1779.  8vo 
pp.  208.  $3  00.  Hartford,  1783. 

LE  GENTIL.  Nouveau  voyage  au  tour  du 
mOnde.  Bnrlohi  de  Plusieurs  Plans, 
Vucs  and  Perspectives  des  Principles 
viltes  and  Ports  du  Pcrou,  Chily,  Bresil, 
et  de  la  Chine  avec  une  description  de 
l'Empire  de  la  Chine,  beaucoup  plus  am- 
ple et  plus  cireonstanciee  quecellesqui 
out  paru  jusqu'a  Present,  ou  il  est  traiti 


des  Mo-urs,  Religion,  Politique,  Educa- 
tion et  Commerce,  des  Peuples  de  cet 
Empire.  12mo.  3  vols,  in  1.  Plates  and 
Maps.  $2  50.  Amsterdam,  1728. 

LETTER  from  the  Secretary  of  State  to 
Charles  C.  Pinekney,  Esq.,  in  answer  to 
the  complaints  of  the  French  Minister 
against  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  contained  in  his  notes  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  State,  dated  the  27th  of  Octo- 
ber, and  the  15th  of  November,  1796. 
12mo.   pr.    pp.  54.    $1  00. 

New  York,  1797. 

LIGON,  RICHARD,  Gent.  A  true  and  ex- 
act history  of  the  Island  of  Barbados. 
Illustrated  with  a  map  of  the  Island,  as 
also  the  principal  trees  and  plants  there, 
set  forth  in  their  due  proportions  and 
shapes,  drawne  out  by  their  severall  and 
respective  scale.  Together  with  the  In- 
genio  that  makes  the  Sugar,  with  the 
Plots  of  the  severall  Houses,  Roomes, 
and  other  places,  that  are  used  in  the 
whole  process  of  Sugar  making  ;  viz  : 
the  Grinding-room,  the  Boyling-room, 
the  Filling  room,  the  Curing  House, 
Still  House,  and  Furnace.  All  cut  in 
Copper.    Folio,  pp.  124.    $ 6  00. 

London,  1657. 

LOCKE,  JOHN.  A  Collection  of  Several 
Pieces  of;  never  before  printed,  or  not 
extant  in  his  works.  8vo.  pp.  441.  $1  50. 

London,  1720. 

This  volume  contains  the  fundamental  Consti- 
tution of  Carolina  by  Mr.  Locke,  besides  many 
curious  pieces. 

LOCKE,  RICHARD  ADAMS.  The  Moon 
Hoax,  or  the  discovery  that  the  Moon 
has  a  vast  population  of  Human  Beings. 
Illustrated  with  a  view  of  the  Moon  as 
seen  by  Lord  Ross'  Telescope.  8vo.  pp. 
63.    50  cts.  New  York,  1859. 

LOCO-FOCOISM,  as  displayed  in  the  Boston 
Magazine  against  Schools  and  Ministers, 
and  in  favor  of  robbing  children  of  the 
property  of  their  parents!  Christians ! 
Patriots  !  Fathers  !  read  and  reflect !  8vo. 
pp.  32.  $1  00.  Albanv,  1840. 

MACLAURIAN  LYCEUM,  Contributions  to 
Arts  and  Sciences.  3  parts  all  published. 
Plates.    $2  00.     Philadelphia,  1827-29. 

MAPS.  (In  Miniature  on  one  Sheet.)  With  the 
depth  of  water  of  the  Harbours  of  the 
principal  English,  French  and  Spanish 
Towns  in  America.  Among  them  New 
York,  Boston,  Louisbourg,  Charles-town, 
Havana,  Quenca,  Martinico,  &c.  14  by  18 
inches.   $5  00.  London,  1739. 

MARSH,  GEORGE  P.  The  Goths  in  New 
England.  A  Discourse  delivered  at  the 
Anniversary  of  the  Philomathesian  So- 
ciety of  Middlebury  College.  Aug.  15, 
1848.    8vo.    pp.  39.    $1  25. 

Middlebury,  1843. 

MARVIN,  HENRY.  A  Complete  History  of 
Lake  George,  embracing  a  great  variety 
of  information  and  compiled  with  an  es- 


10 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


pecial  reference  to  meet  the  wants  of  the 
travelling  community,  intended  as  a  de- 
scriptive guide  together  with  a  complete 
history  and  present  appearance  of  Ti- 
conderoga.  ISmo.  pp.  102.  Map.  $1  50. 

New  York,  1853. 
MATHEMATICAL  CORRESPONDENT,  The, 
Containing  new  elucidations,  discoveries 
and  improvements  in  various  branches 
of  mathematics.  With  a  fine  head  of 
George  Baron,  engraved  by  Dr.  Anderson, 
Vol.  I.  12mo.  pp.  248.  Very  rare.  82  00. 

New  York,  1804. 
MATTER.  The  Elements  of,  discovered  and 
Explained;  in  which  the  Nature  of  Space, 
the  Combination  of  the  Elements  in  the 
formation  of  matter;  the  Origin  of  celes- 
tial bodies  ;  The  principles  of  Gravita- 
tion, Locomotion,  &c,  are  exhibited 
in  such  Plain  and  Simple  views,  with 
References  to  the  Phenomena  as  they 
exist  in  nature,  that  they  cannot  be  mis- 
taken.   Plates.    8vo.  pp.  45.   $1  00. 

New  York,  183G. 
McALPINE,  J.  Genuine  Narratives,  and 
concise.  Memoirs  of  some  of  the  most 
Interesting  Exploits  and  Singular  Adven- 
ventures  of  L  McAlpine,  a  native  High- 
lander, from  the  time  of  his  Emigration 
from  Scotland  to  America,  1773;  during 
the  Long  period  of  his  faithful  attachment 
to,  and  hazardous  attendance  on  British 
Armys,  under  the  command  of  the  Gen- 
erals Careltou  and  Burgoyne,  in  their 
several  operations  that  He  was  concerned 
in;  till  December,  1779.  To  complain 
of  his  Neglected  services;  and  Humbly 
to  Request  Government  for  Reparation  of 
his  Losses  in  the  Royal  cause.  Every 
circumstance  Related  Faithfully,  and 
with  all  delicacy,  containing  nothing  but 
Indisputable  facts  that  can  be  well 
vouched,  and  are  mostly  known  to  many 
Gentlemen  of  good  character,  in  both 
the  Private  and  Military  lines  of  Life; 
carefully  arranged, and  publisl  ed  for  the 
use  of  the  Publick  at  Large.  12mo.  pp. 
63.    A  very  rare  pamphlet.    $10  0<>. 

Greenock,  1780. 
McKENNEV,  THOMAS  L.,  &  J.  HALL.  In- 
dian Tribes  of  North  America  and  their 
History,  with  Biographical  Sketches  and 
Anecdotes  of  the  principal  Chiefs.  By 
Mi  Kenney  and  Hall.  With  120  large  and 
bcautf/ully  colored  portraits  uf  the  Chiefs, 
from  the  Indian  Gallery  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  Ww  :it  Washington.  Complete 
in  3  vols.  Imperial  folio.  Handsomely 
half  bound,  morocco,  gilt  back  and  gilt 
edges.  New.  Pub.  at  $120  00  in  parts. 
$100  00.  Philadelphia,  1838. 

Some  years  ago  Col.  McKenney  obtained  from 
Government  permission  to  take  copies  of  the  In- 
dian portraits  deposited  in  the  War  Department, 
with  a  view  to  publication  in  lithograph.  The 
design  was  accomplished  on  a  large  scale,  and  the 
olio  edition  is  valued,  both  in  Europe  and  Anie-  j 


rica,  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  magni- 
ficent properties  of  a  rich  man'»  library.  The 
biographies,  written  by  Col.  McKenney  and  James 
Hall,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati,  are  sufficiently  copious 
and  drawn  from  the  most  authentic  sources.  One 
of  those  in  the  first  number  w  that  of  Sequoyah, 
or  George  Guess,  the  inventor  of  the  Cherokee 
alphabet;  a  remarkable  man,  having  in  his  cha- 
racter and  appearance  much  more  of  the  Oriental 
than  of  the  American  red  man.  Another  portrait 
of  great  interest  is  that  of  an  Osage  woman;  a  face 
remarkable  for  beauty  and  intelligent  expression. 
MEMORIALS.    Written  on  several  occasions 
during  the  Illness  and  after  the  Decease 
of  Three  Little  Boys.    A  col  lectio  i  of 
Mournful  Poems  Supposed  to  have  been 
written  by  W.  H.  Pannlv.    8vo.  pp.  52. 
$1  00.  New  York,  1842. 

MILITARY  DISCIPLINE.  A  New  System  of, 
founded  upon  principle,  By  a  General 
Officer.    8vo.    pp.  258     $1  50. 

Philadelphia,  177(5. 
MILITARY  JOURNALS,  THE,  of  two  Private 
Soldiers,  1758 — 1775,  with  numerous 
Illustrative  Notes,  to  which  is  added  a 
Supplement  containing  official  Papers  on 
the  Skirmishes  at  Lexington  and  Concord. 
8vo.  pp.  128.  $2.  Poughkeepsie,  1855. 
MILLER,  STEPHEN  F.  The  Bench  and  Bar 
of  Georgia ;  Memoirs  and  Sketches. 
With  an  Appendix,  containing  a  Court 
Roll  from  1790  to  1S57.  2  vols.  8vo.  pp. 
937.    $4  00.  Philadelphia,  1858. 

MINNESOTA.  Annals  of  the  Minnesota 
Historical  Society.  Materials  for  the 
future  History  of  Minnesota ;  being  a 
Report  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Soci- 
ety to  the  Legislative  Assembly.  To 
which  is  added  an  Address  delivered 
before  the  Historical  Society  at  its  sixth 
anniversary,  Feb.  1st,  1856,  by  the  Hon. 
H.  H.  Sibley.  Five  wood  cuts  and  Por- 
trait of  Jonathan  Carver.  Royal  8vo. 
pp.  149.  $1  50.  St  Pauls,  Min.,  1856. 
MINSHULL,  JOHN  (the  American  Cibber). 
Rural  Felicity:  a  Comic  Opera;  with  the 
Humor  of  Patrick  and  Marriage  of  Shelty. 
8vo.   pp.69.   Portrait  bv  Scoles.  $3  50. 

New  York,  1801. 
MINSHCLL,  JOHN.    The  Sprightly  Widow 
with  the  Frolics  of  Youth  ;  or,  a  Speedy 
Way  to  Unite  the  Sexes  by  Honorable 
Marriage,   pp.  64.    1802.    She  Stooj'B  to 
Conquer  ;  or,  the  Virgin  Wife  Triumph- 
ant: a  Comedy  in  three  Acts.    pp.  30. 
1804     Mary's  Dream  ;  Humorous  Tri- 
umph over  the  Poet  in  Petticoats,  and 
the  Gallant  Exploits  of  the  Knight  of  the 
Comb  :  a  Comedy  in  three  Acts.  pp.  29. 
All  bound  in  one.   $6  00.  Fine  Portrait 
by  Scoles.  New  York,  1804. 
Minshull  was  a  prominent  New  York  citizen 
about  the  end  of  the  last  century.    He  was  the 
author  of  several  plays,  which  do  not  possess  very 
much  merit  and  are  now  entirely  forgotten,  and 
indeed  could  not  perhaps  be  procured. 
 Western  Memorabilia. 


OF  AMERICAN  BOOKS. 


11 


MIRROR,  THK  NSW.  Of  Literature,  Amuse- 
ment, and  Instruction,  containing  Tales 
of  Romance,  Sketches  of  Society,  Man- 
ners and  every  dav  Life,  Domestic  and 
Foreign  Correspondence,  Wit  and  Hu- 
mour, Fashion  and  Gossip,  the  Fine 
Arts  and  Literary,  Musical  and  Dramatic 
Criticism.  Extracts  from  New  Works, 
Poetry,  Original  and  Select,  the  Spirit 
of  Public  Journals,  &c,  &c.  Numerous 
fine  Plates.  3  vols,  royal  8vo.  Half 
bound  in  morocco.    $6  50. 

New  York,  1843-1844. 

MOORE,  FRANCIS.    A  Voyage  to  Georgia, 


eight  plates  and  a  colored  map.  Folio, 
pp.  297.    $33  00.     Very  scarce. 

Philadelphia,  1829. 
NARRATIVE  OP  AN  EXPEDITION  to  the 
east  coast  of  Greenland,  sent  by  order  of 
the  king  of  Denmark,  in  search  of  the 
Lost  Colonies,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  W.  A.  Graah,  of  the  Danish  Royal 
Navy,  Knight  of  Dannebrog,  &c  Trans- 
lated from  the  Danish,  By  the  Late  G. 
Gordon  Macdougall,  F.  R.  S.  N.  A.,  With 
tho  Original  Danish  chart  completed  by 
the  Expedition.    8vo.    pp.  216.  $2. 

London,  1837. 


b.gun  in  the  year  1735.    Containing  an  NATIONAL  PORTRAITS,  Catalogue  of,  in 


account  of  the  settleing  the  town  of 
Frederica,  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
province,  and  a  description  of  the  Soil, 
Air,  Birds,  Beasts,  Trees,  Rivers,  Islands, 
&c,  with  the  rules  and  orders  made  by 
the  Honorable  the  trustees  for  that  set- 
tlement; including  the  allowances  of 
Provisions,  Clothing,  and  other  necessa- 
ries to  the  Families  and  servants  which 
went  thither.  Also  a  description  of  the 
town  and  county  of  Savannah,  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  province;  the  man- 
ner of  dividing  and  granting  the  lands 
and  the  improvement  there,  with  an 
account  of  the  Air,  Soil,  Rivers  and 
Islands  In  that  part.  Svo.  pp.  108.  $5. 

London,  1744. 


Independent  Hall,  Philadelphia,  com- 
prising many  of  the  signers  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,  and  many  others. 
Svo.  pp.23.  50  cU.  Phila,  1858. 
NEWARK  (NEW  JERSEY).  Directory  of 
the  city  of,  for  1855-56.  Map  of  the 
city.  12mo.  pp.  432.  Compiled  by 
B.'T.  Picrson.  $1.  Newark,  N.  J.,  1855. 
NEW  YORK  COLONIAL  HISTORY.  Docu- 
ments relative  to  the  Colonial  History  of 
the  State  of  New  York  ;  procured  in  Hol- 
land, England  and  France,  by  John  Ro- 
meyn  Brodhead,  Esq.,  Agent.  Edited 
E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  M.  D.,  LL.  D.  With 
a  general  Introduction  by  the  agent.  11 
vols.    4to.    Clo.    Maps,  &c.    $30  00. 

Albany,  1856-60. 


MORGAN,  JOHN  (M.  D.).  A  discourse  upon  NEW  YORK  DIRECTORIES.    From  1804  to 
the  Institution  of  Medical  Schools  in  !       1860,  inclusive,  with  the  exception  of 


America  ;  delivered  at  a  public  Anniver- 
sary Commencement,  held  in  the  College 
of  Philadelphia,  May  30,  and  31,1765. 
8vo.    pp#.  91.    $10  00. 


1805-8-9.  55  vols  12mo.  and  8vo. 
$300  00.  New  York,  1604-60. 

There  can  be  no  better  chronological  step-ladder 
for  presenting  in  a  clear  light  the  gradual  greneth 
Philadelphia,  1765.  or  decline  of  a  city  than  a  consecutive  series  of  its 
This  book  is  a  great  curiosity,  both  in  re-  directories,  giving  annually  the  number  of  houses, 
sped  to  typography  as  well  as  Medical  history,  icith  the  names  of  the  respective  householders 
It  is  undoubtedly  among  the  first  of  American  thereof,  public  institutions  and  private  enter- 
medical  productions,  and  irhat  renders  it  still  prises,  Src.  Here  arc  facts  without  fiction  or 
more  valuable,  it  it  from  the  press  of  the  son  of  coloring  ;  a  solid  base  for  correct  estimate ;  in 
the  American  Caxton,  William  Bradford.  This  short,  a  reliable  reference  book  not  to  be  doubted, 
copy  is  in  good  preservation  and  in  the  original  It  must  be  remembered  that  statistics  is  the  comer 
binding.  Corwin's  copy,  although  much  infe-  stone  of  history  ;  without  them  history  icould  de- 
rior,  sold  for  $9  50.  generate  into  romance  and  unmeaning  fiction. 

MORSE,  JED1DIAII.  A  Report  to  the  Sec-  A  series  of  New  York  Directories  form  a  perfect 
retary  of  War  of  the  United  States,  of  miniature  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  American 
Indian  Affairs,  comprising  a  Narrative  Metropolis 

of  a  tour  performed  in  the  summer  of  NEW  YORK.  Document  of  the  Board  of 
1S20,  under  a  commission  from  the  Pre-         Aldermen.     Report  on  laying  out  the 

new  park.  With  a  colored  map  of  the 
same.    8vo.    Paper.    $1  00. 

New  York,  1S52. 


sident  of  the  United  States,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining,  for  the  use  of  the 
Government,  the  actual  state  of  the  In- 
dian tril>es  in  our  country.    Illustrated  NEW  YORK  State  Library  Catalogue.  In 


by  a  map  of  the  United  States;  orna- 
mented by  a  correct  portrait  of  a  Pawnee 
Indian.  8vo.  pp.  400.  $2  00.  Very 
fine  copy.  Uncut.  New  Haven,  1822. 
MORTON,  SAMUEL  GEORGE.  Crania 
Americana ;  or  a  Comparative  view  of 
the  Skulls  of  various  Aboriginal  Nations  of 
North  and  South  America.  To  which  is 
prefixed  an  Essay  on  the  Varieties  of  the 
Human  Species.    Illustrated  by  seventy- 


Four  Departments,  namely :  General 
Literature,  Law,  Maps,  and  Bibliography. 
4  vols.    Royal  Svo.    {  morocco.  $10. 

Albany,  1856. 

NEW  YORK.  The  Natural  History  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  with  an  astonishing 
profusion  of  Plates — some  colored ;  and 
a  lengthy  Introduction  by  the  Hon. 
William  H.  Seward.  19  vols.  4to. 
Map.    $110  00.  Albany,  1842-55 


J 


12 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


NIAGARA  FALLS.  Table  Rock  Album,  or 
Sketches  of  the  Falls  and  Scenery  Ad- 
jected.   12mo.    pp.  108.    $1  25. 

Buffalo,  1850. 

Among  the  contribute™  to  this  Album  will  be 
found  the  names  of  Lords  Morpeth  and  Durham, 
Sir  Francis  Head,  Rev.  J.  Dowling,  John  G. 
Saxe,  Willis  Gaylord  Clark,  J.  S.  Buckingham, 
and  ovei  one  hundicd  others. 

NEW  YORK  CITY.     Corporation  Manuals. 
From  the  commencement  in  1841  to 
1860.      With  numerous  Fac-similies, 
Maps,  View  and  Plates.    18  vols.  2-4mo., 
18mo.,  and  12ino.     Compiled  by  David 
Valentine.    $30        New  York,  1841-60. 
This  series  of  books  (  The  New  York  Coipora- 
tion  Manuals)  hat  become  an  important  item  in 
the  Antiquarian,  Historical,  Biographical  and 
Litetary  annals  of  the  city  of  Ncxc  York.  To 
those  desiring  information  about  the  city,  or  who 
may  be  writing  on  the  subject,  will  find  these 
books  inJispensible  repositories  of  information. 
Mr.  Valentine  deserves  well,  and  more  than  iccll, 
of  the  community,  and  of  posterity  whirh  will  come 
after  him,  for  having  been  such  a  faithful  and 
judicious  gleaner  of  these  scattered  historic  frag- 
ments and  antiquarian  facts,  and  givint;  them  a 
shape  which  will  command  respect,  as  wtll  as  to 
secure  them  a  permanency.     The  collection  of  fac- 
similes and  maps  alone,  say  nothing  of  the  en- 
graved views,  arc  of  great  intrinsic  value,  and 
possess  a  charming  interest  to  all  irho  love  to  con- 
template past  transactions. 

 Western  Memorabilia. 

NOURSE,  JAMES.  The  New  Testament  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ  ; 
Translated  out  of  the  Original  Greek,  and 
with  the  former  Translations  diligently 
compared  and  revised.  The  Text  of  the 
common  Translation  is  arranged  in  para- 
graphs, such  as  the  sense  requires  :  the 
division  of  chapters  and  verses  being 
noted  in  the  margin,  for  reference.  By 
James  Xourse,  A.  M.  8vo.  pp.  About 
$2  00.  Philadelphia,  1829. 

OLDM1XON,  JOHN.  The  British  Empire 
in  America,  containing  the  History  of  the 
Discovery,  Settlement,  Progress  and  State 
of  the  British  Colonies  on  the  Continent 
and  Islands  of  America.  2  vols.  8vo. 
Calf.  pp.  601  and  478.  Maps.  Fine 
copy.    $5  00.  London,  1741 

OTIS,  JAMES.  The  Rights  of  the  British 
Colonies  asserted  and  proved.  Third 
Edition,  corrected.  8vo.  pp.  120.  $2  50. 

Boston,  N.  E.,  1766. 
OTT,  JAMES  CRAMER.    The  Truth  accord- 
ing to  and  with  the  World.    $1  50. 

Albany,  1650. 

OXFORD  ACADEMY  JUBILEE,  Held  at 
Oxford,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  August 
1st  and  2d,  1854.  Four  fine  steel  por- 
traits; viz:  Henry  W.  Rogers,  R.  W. 
Juliand,  John  Tracy  and  Horatio  Sey- 
mour.   Svo     pp.  130.    $2  00. 

New  York,  1856. 


PAINE,  THOMAS.  An  Extraordinary  Col- 
lection of  Pamphlets  by,  for  and  against 
this  celebrated  man.  Among  them  his 
Trial  for  Blasphemy  and  the  Trial  of  his 
book  seller  for  publishing  and  selling 
his  pamphlets,  &c,  &c.    In  all,  40.  $10. 

Loudon,  V.  D. 

PAMPHLETS.  An  extraordinary  collection  of 
pamphlets,  chiefly  American,  consisting 
of  Speeches,  Orations,  Addresses,  Lec- 
tures, Biography,  Local  History,  Sermons, 
Political  Discussions,  Banking,  Poetry, 
and  on  a  great  variety  of  other  subjects. 
Bound  up  in  310  vols  8vo.  §930.  V.  D. 
A  manusenpt  catalogue,  giving  the  full  title, 
number  of  pages,  where  published,  and  date,  will 
accompany  the  collection.     This  formidable  body 
of  pamphlets  cost  the  collector  fifteen  years'  labor 
in  bringing  them  together. 

Pamphlets  having  this  considerable  advan- 
tage, that,  springing  from  some  imimdiate  occa- 
sion they  are  copied  more  directly  from  the  life ; 
so  likelier  to  bear  a  resemblance  than  any  more 
cxtendid  draughts  taken  by  a  remote  light  ;  the 
writers  have  a  bss  opportunity  to  comment,  and 
their  writings  are  less  liable  to  aimit  such  foul 
and  frequnt  practices  of  phgiary  as  books  of 
matter  more  various,  and  bulk  more  voluminous, 
too  often  exhibit.  Besides,  the  author  >.,  ing  more 
vigorously  prompted  to  application  by  the  expe- 
diency to  bring  forth  his  work,  opportunity  is 
'urged  to  shake  out  the  image  of  his  mind  at  a 
heat,  in  the  most  natural  form  and  symmitry, 
in  the  most  significant  circumstances  at  once,  sel- 
dom allowing  leisure  for  the  writer  to  dote  upon 
or  dream  over  his  work,  whether  to  disguise  it 
with  the  conceptions  of  other  men  nor  to  deform 
it  with  chimeras  of  his  own.  Htncc  they  are 
preferred  by  many  critics  to  discover  the  genuine 
abilities  of  the  author  and  the  true  map  of  the 
time  or  things  before  the  more  dilatory  and  accu- 
mulated productions. 

 F.  Mono  ax's  Phoenix  Britaunicus 

I'ANCIROLLI  GUIDONIS.  Rerum  Memora- 
bilium  she  di  pirditaruin  Pars  Prior 
commentarijs  illustrata  et  focis  prope  in- 
nuuieris  postremum  aucta  ab  Henrico  Sal- 
muth  Aml>ergeusium  Sijndico  Emerito. 
4to.  pp.  372,  also,  Clarissimi  Nova  Re- 
perta  sive  Rerum  Memoribilium  Recens 
Inventarum  and  verteribus  incognitorum 
Pars  Posterion  ;  Ex  Italico  latini  reddita 
nec  non  commentariis  illustrata  et  locis 
prope  innuineris  postremum  aucta  ab 
Henrico  Salmuth  Ambergensium  syndico 
emerito.    4to.  pp.  328.    $4  00. 

Francofurti,  1631. 
PATENT  OFFICE  REPORT  for  1843.  pp. 
335.    8vo.  uncut  and  unbound,  $3  00. 
very  rare.  Washington,  D.  C. 

PATENT  RIGHT  OPPRESSION  Exposed,  or 
Knavery  Detected  in  an  address  to  unite 
all  good  people  to  obtain  a  Repeal  of  the 
Patent  Laws.  A  Poem  with  copious  notes. 
Patrick  N.  J.  Elisha,  Esq.,  Poet  Laureate, 
12mo.  pp.  189.    Very  rare.    $1  50. 

Philadelphia,  1814. 


PATHS,  JOHN  HOWARD.  Lispingsof  the 
Muses,  a  Selection  from  Juvenile  Poems, 
chiefly  written  at  and  before  the  age  of 
sixteen.    8vo.    pp.  30.    $2  00. 

London, 1 SI 5 . 

The  following  endorsement  in  the  hand  writing 
of  the  author  i$  to  be  found  upon  the  fly  leaf : 

"Isaac  S.  Clason,  Esq.,  from  his  friend, 
John  Howard  Payne.     London,  Sept.  2,  1820." 

Clason  MM  by  profession  an  actor  and  had  ac- 
quirtd  some  celebrity  both  in  England  and  Ameri- 
ca as  such,  but  he  is,  or  will  perhaps  be  hereafter  bet- 
ter known  as  the  author  of  the  continuation  of  the 
Don  Juan  cantos,  XVII  and   XVI II,  a  very 
clever  imitation  of  Lord  Byron's  style  of  writing; 
also  Fanny  continued,  u  no  less  remarkable  imi- 
itation  of  the  style  of  Fitz  Greene  Ilnlleck.  He 
diid  miserably  in  London,  report  says  on  the 
one  hand,  by  starvation,  on  the  other,  by  suicide. 
Payne  died  at  Ahppo  in  1862,  while  in  the  capa- 
city of  American  consul  at  that  place. 
PBNN,  WILLIAM     An  Address  to  Protest- 
ants upon  the  present  Conjuncture.  In 
II  Parts.    4to.    pp.  148.    $3.  1G79. 
PBNN,  WILLI  111      (Founder  of  Pennsyl- 
vania.)    The  Works   of.     Very  neat. 
Calf  backs  and  corners.    Both  titles  lost, 
otherwise   a   desirable  copy.     2  vols, 
folio.    $b"  50. 
1 '  B  N  N S  V I.  V  A  N 1 A  M  AG  AZIN B,  The ,  Or  Ame- 
rican Monthly  Magazine  (said  to  have 
been  edited  by  Tom.  Paine).    Svo.  Vol. 
1.    pp    490.      Plates  and  .  Local  Maps. 
JIutograph  of  James  Abcrcrombie.    $10  00. 
very  rare.  Philadelphia,  1775. 

PILPAY.  The  Instructive  and  entertaining 
Fables  of,  au  ancient  Indian  Philosopher, 
containing  a  number  of  exnUent  Rules 
for  the  conduct  of  persons  of  all  ages, 
and  in  all  stations,  under  several  heads. 
4th  Edition  corrected,  improved  and  en- 
larged. 8vo.  pp.  127.  uncut.  $5  CO. 
London  printed,  America  re-printed, 

1784. 

Wondcrfull  to  relate,  this  renowned  piece  of 
curious  *1ntiquitic  should  have  been  printed  in 
the  United  States  at  this  early  day.     The  book 
even  then  must  have  been  a  great  rarity  m  Eu- 
rope,  and,  of  course,  at  the  time  almost  un- 
known in  America  except  among  the  case-hard- 
ened book-collectors,  which,  no  doubt  then  a  few 
were  scattered  up  and  down    throughout  the 
country  at  the  time.     Whoever  re-printed  or 
caused  this  book  to  be  re-printed  at  that  time 
must  have  been  a  great  enthusiast  for  none  else 
would  have  done  it.     It  has  affixed  neither 
printer's  name  nor  place  where  printed,  but 
simply  thus.  "  I,ondon  printed,  America  Re- 
printed, MDCCLXXXIV." 
POLITICAL  REGISTER,  (The)  and  Impar- 
tial Review  of  New  Rooks.    11  vols,  in 
6.  Svo.  treed  calf.    Plates  in  each  vol- 
ume.   Very  neat.    $20  00.  Published 
by  J.  Almon.  London,  1707-72. 

In  these  volumes  will  be  found  the  germ  of 
the  discontent  which  afterwards  led  to  the  over- 


throw of  British  power  in  their  thirteen  provin- 
ces in  North  Amcriea  by  the  afterwards  memo- 
rable revolution.  Many  of  the  papers  are  of  a 
derided  Rki>  BBFDSUOAI  stamp  communicated 
by  Americans  who  appeared  to  have  entertained 
a  very  unfriendly  opinion  of  the  mothir  coun- 
try. The  volumes  are  adorned  with  a  number 
of  political  caricature  plates  ,-  they  may  be  said 
lobe  the  harbinger  to  the  celebrated  pcriodual 
entitled,  AlmOH'b  Amkuicas  Rkmkmhrancrr ; 
indeed,  the  one  appears  to  be  the  necessary  pen- 
dant to  the  other. 

PROTKSTANT  Kpiscopal  Historical  Society 
Collections.  Vol.  II.  Containing  the 
Life  of  the  pioneer  Missionary,  Rev.  Ja- 
cob Bailey.  By  W.  S.  Bartlett,  with 
notes  by  Bishop  Burgess.  3  portraits, 
Svo.     pp.  365.     $2  50. 

New  York,  1853. 

PSALTERIUM  AM HRICANl'M.  The  Book 
of  Psalms,  in  a  translation  exactly  con- 
formed unto  the  Original,  butall  in  blank 
verse,  fitted  unto  the  tunes  commonly 
used  in  our  churches.  Which  Pure 
Offering  is  accompanied  with  Illustra- 
tions, digging  for  hidden  treasures  in  it ; 
and  Rules  to  employ  it  upon  the  Glori- 
ous and  Various  Intentions  of  it.  Where- 
to are  added  some  other  portions  of  the 
Sacred  Scripture,  to  Enrich  the  Caution- 
al.    12mo.  pp.  452.    $40  00. 

Boston,  in  N.  E.,  1718. 

With  the  exception  of  the  "Bay  Psalm  Book," 
the  first  book  printed  in  North  America,  this  is 
the  scarcest  of  all  the  early  printed  Hymn  Books 
produced  by  the  American  press  in  Colonial 
[times.  This  copy  is  in  the  original  binding  in 
perfect  condition  and  apparently  has  never  been 
'•  used.  The  version  is  said  to  have  been  the  produc- 
tion of  the  renowned  Cotton  Mather,  the  most 
voluminous  writer  America  has  produced.  His 
publications  amount  in  number  to  not  less  than 
382.  Of  course  many  of  these  are  single  ser- 
mons and  pamphlets  but  still  there  are  many  of 
them  single  volumes,  and  some  of  tktm  in  more 
[than  one.  For  a  further  account  of  this  book 
see  Hood's  History  of  Music  in  New  England 
\a  book,  by  the  by,  which  contains  a  good  deal 
^bibliographical  information. 

IRAGUET,  CONDY.  The  Banner  of  the 
Constitution.  Devoted  to  General  Poli- 
tics, Political  Economy,  State  Papers 
Foreign  and  Domestic.  3  vol.  large  fo- 
lio.   $10  50.        Washington,  1830-32 

RAYMOND,  WILLIAM.  Biographical  Sketch- 
es of  the  distinguished  men  of  Colum- 
bia County,  including  an  account  of  the 
most  important  Offices  tbev  have  lilb  d 
8vo.  pp.  119.  $1  00.  In  all  29  Bidg- 
raphies.  Albany,  1851. 

REESE,  DAVID  M.  Humbugs  of  New 
York  :  being  a  remonstance  against  Pop- 
ular Delusion,  whether  in  Science,  Phi- 
losophy or  Religion.  12mo.  pp.  273 
$1  00.  New  York,  1838 


14 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


REE3,  JAMES.  The  Dramatic  authors  of 
America.    12mo.  pp.  144.    $1  00. 

Philadelphia,  1845. 

A  work  showing  a  considerable  amount  of 
bibliographical  industry.  Here  is  a  little  book 
giving  a  catalogue  of  one  hundred  and  eleven 
American  drannatic  authors,  with  a  list  of  their 
respective  plays,  occasional  short  biographical 
sketches,  notices  of  some  of  the  American  Thea- 
tres throughout  the  country  and  a  meagre  chro- 
nology of  the  American  Theatre. 

Although  the  author  has  aimed  at  alphabeti- 
cal arrangement  his  book  is  quite  defective  in 
this  respect,  as  well  as  in  others,  having  7icithcr 
chapters,  headings, prominent  catch-words, chro- 
nological arrangement,  contents  nor  index  ;  be- 
sides he  has  quite  defaced  his  book  by  occasion- 
ally introducing  parts  of  scenes  of  certainplays 
which  has  much  incumbered  his  performance, 
without  adding  interest  or  value  to  it.  Not- 
withstanding all  this  the  author  deserves  great 
credit  for  this  performance,  inasmuch  as  it  is 
the  first  and  only  one  (f  the  kind  (so  far  as  I 
can  learn)  that  has  appeared  in  the  country.  It 
will  be  an  excellent  nucleus  for  a  more  extend- 
ed and  better  arranged  treatise  on  the  same  sub- 
ject Western  Memorabilia. 

RELATIONS  DES  JESUITS,  contenant  ce 
qui  s'est  passe"  dp  plus  remanjuable  dans 
les  missions  des  Peres  de  la  Compagnie 
de  J  dsns  dans  la  Nouvelle  France.  Ou- 
vrage  public  sous  les  auspices  du  gouv- 
ernement  Canadien.  3  vols,  royal  8vo. 
of  about  900  pp.  each.  $15  00.  Paper 
covers.  Quebec,  1858. 

"This  work,  of  which  only  a  small  number 
wet  e  printed,  is  a  complete  reprint  of  all  the 
Jesuit  Relations  concerning  the  missions  in 
Canada  and  French  North  America, from  1611 
to  1672  ;  and  contains  most  important  matter 
concerning  the  Indian  Tribes,  and  the  early 
history  of  Maine,  New  York  and  all  the  North- 
west." 

REJECTED  ADDRESSES,  The.  Together 
with  the  Prize  Addresses  presented  to 
the  Prize  Medal  offered  for  the  best  Ad- 
dress on  the  opening  of  the  New  Park 
Theatre  in  the  City  of  New  York.  18mo. 
pp.  132.    $2  00.    Very  rare. 

New  York,  1821. 
The  following  are  among  the  contributors  to 
this  volume  <u  fugitive  pieces,  namely ;  C. 
Sprague,  S.  Woodworth,  Moses  Y.  Scott,  James 
li.  Sheys,  Joseph  Cross,  M'JJonald  Clarke,  be- 
sides about  sixty  anonymous  contributors. 

RIGGS,  S.  R.  Grammar  and  Dictionary  of 
the  Dakota  Language,  collected  by  the 
members  of  the  Dakota  Mission..  4to. 
pp.  333.     $6  00. 

Washington  City,  1852. 

ROBINSON,  JOHN.  Essayes;  or,  Observa- 
tions, Divine  and  Morall.  Collected  out 
of  Holy  Scriptures,  Ancient  and  Moderne 
Writers,  both  Divine  and  Humane.  As 
also,  out  of  the  great  volume  of  men's 
manners  :  Tending  to  the  furtherance  of 
knowledge  and  vertue.  2d  edition  with 
two  Tables,  the  one  of  the  authors  quo- 


ted, the  other  of  the  matters  contained 
in  the  observations.  18mo.  calf,  pp. 
598.    $10  00.  London,  1638 

The  descendants  of  the  pilgrims  have  not 
ceased  to  this  day  to  revere  the  memory  of  John 
Robinson. 

ROYALL,  MRS.  ANNE.  The  Black  Book,  or 
a  Continuation  of  Travels  in  the  United 
States.  3  vols.  12mo.  pp.  328,  396  and 
235.    $6  00.  Washington,  1828. 

ROYALL,  MRS.  ANNE.  Pennsylvania,  or 
Travels  Continued  in  the  United  States. 
2  vols.    12mo.  pp.  276  and  317.    $3  00. 

Washington,  1829. 

ROYALL,  MRS.  ANNE.  Sketches  of  Histo- 
ry, Life  and  Manners  in  the  United 
States.  By  a  Traveller.  12mo.  pp.  392. 
81  50.  New  York,  1826. 

ROYALL,  MRS.  ANNE.  Southern  Tour,  or 
Second  Series  of  the  Black  Book.  3  vol. 
8vo.  pp.  181,  217,  and  246.    $4  00. 

Washington,  1831. 

ROYALL,  MRS.  ANNE.  Letters  from  Ala- 
bama, on  various  subjects  ;  to  which  are 
added  an  Appendix,  containing  remarks 
on  sundry  Members  of  the  20th  Congress, 
and  other  high  characters  at  the  Seat  of 
Government.    Svo.  pp.  238.    $2  00. 

Washington,  1830. 

This  Amazon  would  have  been  more  appro- 
priately empliyyed  as  a  fishmonger  in  Hillings- 
gate  Market,  or  a  Meg  Merrilies  heading  a 
gang  of  Gypsie  Smugglers,  than  the  author  of 
books  or  editing  a  newspaper.  She  was  the  ter- 
ror of  every  member  of  Congress  while  she  re- 
sided at  Washington,  &nd  in  order  to  propitiate 
her  favor,  they  one  and  all  promptly  subscribed 
for  her  journal  "  Palm,  Pky." 

RUSSELL,  II.  W.  Remarks  on  the  English 
Enlistment  Question,  with  an  abstract  of 
the  correspondence  thereon.  8vo,  pp. 
103.    $100.  New  York,  1856. 

SAINT  ANDRKW'S  SOCIETY,  Historical 
Sketch  of  the,  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  with  the  constitution  and  list  of 
officers  and  members  since  1756.  Cen- 
tennial oration  before  the  Society,  on  the 
1st  December,  1856,  by  the  Rev.  John 
Thompson,  D.  D.  ]2mo.  pp.  120.  $1  50. 

New  York,  1856. 
SANDYS,  GEORGK.  Ovid's  Metamorposis. 
Englished  by  G.  S.  Small  folio — en- 
graved title.  $5  00.  London,  1662. 
This  is,  perhaps  the  first  attempt  at  writing 
Knglish  poetry  in  the  Nnc  World  ;  at  all  events 
it  is  without  doubt  the  first  translation  of  a 
classic  author  into  the  English  tongue.  Sandys 
was  colonial  secretary  for  the  Virginia  JJlanta- 
tions  during  the  time  he  made  this  translation 
of  Ovid.  In  his  dedication  to  Charles  )st,  he 
speaks  thus  of  his  performance.  "  We  had 
hoped,  ere  many  years  had  turned  about,  to  have 
presented  you  with  a  rich  and  well-peopled 
kingdom  ;  from  whence,  now,  with  myself,  I 
only  bring  this  composure :  "  Inter  victrices 
Hederam  tibi  serpere  Laurus."  It  ncedeth  more 
than  a  single  denization,  being  a  double  stran- 
\ger.    Sprung  from  the  stock  of  ancient  Roma- 


/ 


\ 


■  I 

OF  AMERICAN  BOOKS.  15 


nes,  but  brcil  in  the  New  World,  of  the  rude- 
ness xchereof  it  ean  but  participate  ;  especially 
having  wars  and  tumult  to  bring  it  to  light  in- 
stead of  the  muses." 

BAYAGB,  THE.  By  Pomengo,  a  Head  man 
and  Warrior  of  the  Muscogulgeo  nation. 
12ino,  pp.  312.    $G  00.       Phila.  1813. 

"  This  strange  book  is  very  original,  very 
wild,  and  very  American.  It  is  a  periodical 
paper,  of  irhich  the  supposed  writer  is  a  native 
American  Indian,  residing  in  the  city  of  Phil- 
adelphia. "  The  goo<l  people  if  this  republic," 
it  is  said,  "have  long  derived  amusement  from 
the  journals  of  polished  travellers  through  bar- 
barous nations.  Let  us  for  once  reverse  the 
picture,  and  see  what  entertainment  can  be 
drawn  from  the  observations  of  a  savage  upon 
the  manners  and  customs,  vices  and  virtues  of 
those  who  boast  the  advantages  of  refinement 
and  civilization."  Such  is  the  design  of  the 
ixiofc  similar  in  some  respects  to  lloldsviith's 
Citizen  of  the  World,  The  Turkish  Spy,  The 
Chinese  Spy,  Persian  Letters,  Letters  of  a 
Hindoo  Hagee,  &c,  &c." 

SHECUT,  J.  L.  E.  W.  Medical  and  Philo- 
sophical Essavs  containing  Topographi- 
cal Historical,  and  other  Sketches  of  the 
City  of  Charleston  ;  Easay  on  the  pre- 
vailing fever  of  1S17  ;  Essay  on  Conta- 
gions and  Infections,  and  an  Essay  on 
Electric  Fluid,  &c,  the  whole  of  which 
are  designed  as  illustrative  of  the  do- 
mestic origin  of  the  yellow  fever  of 
Charleston,  and  as  conducing  to  the 
formation  of  a  medical  history  of  the 
State  of  Soutli  Carolina.  Roval  8vo. 
bds.    pp.  262.    $2  25. 

Charleston,  1819. 

SHEPARD,  THOMAS.  The  Parable  of  the 
Ten  Virgins  opened  and  applied,  being 
the  substance  of  divers  sermons  on 
Matth.  25,  1-13.  Folio,  pp.  195.    $5  00. 

Cambridge,  1695. 

SHEI'ARD.  1  he  Parable  of  the  Ten  Virgins 
opened  and  applied  ;  being  the  substance 
of  divers  sermons  on  Matth.  25,  1-13. 
By  Jonathan  Mitchell  and  Thos.  Sbep- 
ard.    12mo.  pp.  G35.    $1  50. 

Boston,  1852. 

SHEPARD,  THOMAS.  Meditations  and  spir- 
itual Experiences  of.  12mO.  pp.  82. 
$3  00.    Verv  rare.       Edinburgh,  1749. 

SHEPARD,  THOMAS.  The  Sincere  Con- 
vert: Discovering  the  small  number  of 
True  Believers,  and  the  great  difficulty  of 
Saving  Conversion.  Wherein  are  ex- 
cellently and  plainly  opened  these  choice 
and  divine  principles.  18mo.  pp.  238. 
91  25.  London,  1680. 

SHEPARD,  THOMAS.  Thesis  Sabbatica>,  or, 
The  Doctrine  of  the  Sabbath,  wherein 
the  Sabbaths,  I.  Morality,  II.  Change, 
III.  Beginning,  IV.  Sanctifieation,  are 
clearly  discussed,  which  were  first  han- 
dled more  largely  in  sundry  Sermons  in 
Cambridge  in  New  England,  in  opening 
of  the  fourth  commandment.  12mo.  pp. 
402.    $5  00.  London,  1G55. 


15 


SIMCOE,  COL.  J.  G.  Military  Journal.  A 
History  of  the  Operations  of  a  Partisan 
Corps,  called  the  Queen's  Rangers,  com- 
manded by  Col.  J.  Q.  Simc*e  during  the 
war  of  the  American  Revolution.  Illus- 
trate d  by  tan  engraved  Plans  of  Actions, 
ice  ,  now  first  published,  with  a  memoir 
of  the  Author  and  other  additions. 
Large  paper,  small  folio,  pp.  328.  Calf 
back  and  corners.  $10.    N.  York,  1844. 

SMITH,  JOHN.  The  Generall  Historic  of 
Virginia,  New  England  and  the  Summer 
Isles,  with  tho  names  of  the  Adventurers, 
Planters  and  Uovernours  from  their  first 
beginning,  Anno,  1584,  to  this  present 
1G2G.  With  the  Proceedings  of  those 
severall  Colonies  and  the  accidents  that 
l>el'ell  them  in  all  their  journeys  and  dis- 
coveries. Also  the  Maps  and  descrip- 
tions of  all  those  countryes,  their  com- 
modities, people,  government,  customes, 
and  religion  yet  knowne.  Divided  into 
sixe  bookes.  Folio,  pp.  14S.  Engraved 
Title  and  one  Map.  if 40.    London,  1G32. 

SMITH,  JOHN  AUGUSTINE.  Prelections 
on  some  of  the  most  Important  Subjects 
connected  with  Moral  and  Physical  Sci- 
ence in  opposition  to  Phrenology,  Mag- 
netism, Atheism,  and  the  principles  ad- 
vanced by  the  author  of  the  Vestiges  of 
Creation.  12mo.  pp.  405.  Portrait. 
$2  00.  New  York,  1853. 

SMITH,  MRS.  E.  VALE.  History  of  New- 
buryport  from  the  earliest  settlement  of 
the  country  to  the  present  time  ;  a  Bio- 
graphical Appendix.  8vo.  pp.  414.  2 
portraits  and  1  plate.    $2  25. 

Newburvport,  1854. 

SMITH,  WILLIAM.  The  History  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  from  tho  first 
discovery  to  the  year  MDCCXXXII.  To 
which  is  annexed  a  description  of  the 
country,  with  a  short  account  of  the  In- 
habitants, their  trade,  religious  and  po- 
litical state,  and  the  constitutions  of  the 
courts  of  Justice  in  that  colony.  4to. 
pp.  2G4  Plate,  a  view  of  Oswego  on 
lake  Ontario.    $8  00.       London,  1757. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA.  Ode  to  a  friend  on 
our  leaving  together  South  Carolina. 
Written  in  June,  1780.  4to  pp.  15. 
$2  00.  London,  1783. 

SPENCER,  AMBROSE,  Memorials  of,  Late 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  State  of  New  York.  Consisting  of 
prcceedings  of  public  bodies  and  meet- 
ings and  of  sermons  and  addresses  upon 
the  occasion  of  his  death  and  in  illus- 
tration of  his  life  and  character.  8vo. 
pp.  104.  Portrait.  (Privately  printed.) 
$2  00.  Albany,  ls49. 

ST.  URSULA'S  CONVENT,  or  the  nun  of 
Canada,  containing  scenes  from  real  life. 
2  vols,  in  I.    12nio.    $2  00. 

Kingston,  Upper  Canada,  1>24. 
The firtt  Novel  written  and  printed  in  Can- 
ada. \ 


R  

16 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


STATE  RIGHTS  CELEBRATION,  Proceed- 
ings of  the,  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  July  1st, 
1830,  containing  the  Speeches  of  Hon. 
Wm.  Drayton  and  Hon.  R.  Y.  Hayne, 
who  were  the  invited  guests;  also  of 
Langdon  Cheeves,  James  Hamilton,  Jr., 
and  Robert  J.  Turnbull,  Esqs.,  and  re- 
marks of  his  Honor,  the  Intendant,  H. 
L.  Pinckney,  to  which  is  added  the  vol- 
unteer Toasts,  given  on  the  occasion. 
12mo.  pp.  56.  $2.        Charleston,  1830. 
STEDMAN,  C,    The  History  of  the  Origin, 
Progress  and  Termination  of  the  Ameri- 
can War,  by.    Who  served  under  Sir 
W.  Howe,  Sir  H.  Clinton,  and  the  Mar- 
quis Cornwallis.    2  vols.  8vo.  pp.  446- 
528.    $6  00.  Dublin,  1794. 
STONE,  WILLIAM  L.    Matthias  and  his  Im- 
postures ;  or  the  Progress  of  Fanaticism 
Illustrated  in  the  Extraordinary  case  of 
Robert  Matthews  and  some  of  his  fore- 
runners and  disciples.    18mo.  pp.  347. 
$1  50.                        New  York,  1835. 
Matthiai  may  be  called  the  Petit  Mahomet 
and  this  book  a  tecond  Koran.     The  narrative 
records  the  most  extraordinary  instances  of  hu- 
man credulity  to  be  found  in  any  age  of  the 
world.     The  reader  can  scarcity  avoid  the  con- 
clusion, thtit  the  dupes  of  this  iniposter  WMMt 
have  laboitrtd  under  a  spccits  of  insanity  bifore 
becoming  his  converts,  otherwise  we  can  not  Ml 
how  they  could  adopt  a   creed  and  sanction 
practices  which  none,  whose  undtrstanding  is 
not  utterly  bi  sotted,  could  for  a  momint  tole- 
rate Western  Memorabilia. 

STONE,  WILLIAM  S.  Maria  Monk  and  the 
Nunnery  of  the  Hotel  Dieu,  being  an 
account  of  a  visit  to  the  convents  of 
Moutreal,  and  refutation  of  the  "awful 
disclosures,"  audi  alteram  partem.  8vo. 
pp.  56.    $1  00.  New  York,  1836. 

STONE,  WILLIAM  L.  Uncus  and  Mianto- 
nomoh  ;  a  historical  discourse  delivered 
at  Norwich,  Conn.,  on  the  4th  day  of 
July,  1842,  on  the  occasion  of  the  erec- 
tion of  a  monument  to  the  memory  of 
Uncas,  the  white  man's  friend,  and  first 
chief  of  the  Mohegans.  18mo.  pp  209. 
$1  00.  New  York,  1842. 

Col.  Stime  van  at  one  time  (1817  &  18)  the  ed- 
itor of  the  Albany  Gazette,  and  for  a  long  time 
afterwards,  editor  and  principal  proprietor  of 
the  A'cw  York  Commercial  Advertiser.  lie  was 
universally  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  best  if  the 
old  conservative  editors,  and  his  paper  for  ma- 
ny years  hud  a  wide  circulation  among  the  sober, 
staid  and  peace  loving  citizens.  His  opinions, 
as  a  general  thing,  were  held  in  high  authority 
among  his  readers;  he  also  held  great  sway 
among,  the  literati  of  Ptew  York  and  the  neigh- 
boring provinces,  but  in  this  respect  he  had  a 
higher  reputatiim  perhaps  than  he  deserved, 
more  especially  in  the  department  of  biblio- 
graphy, a  field  in  which  he  was  ambitious  of  be- 
ing considered  very  perfect,  but  his  attainments 
on  this  subject  were  quite  superficial  and  inaccu- 
rate as  could  be  easily  proved  from  many  of  the 
statements  he  made  from  time  to  time  through 
his  otherwise  meritorious  journal.    He  was  au- 


thor of  a  number  of  books  on  history,  biogra- 
phy, romance,  and  miscellany,  some  of  which 
still  continue  to  sell,  more  especially  the  life  of 
Red  Jacket  and  Brant  the  Indian  chief.  For 
a  complete  catalogue  cf  his  writings,  see  Gow- 
an's  Bibliographical  Biography. 

 Western  Memorabilia. 

STROUD,  GEORGE  M.  A  Sketch  of  the 
Laws  relating  to  Slavery  in  the  several 
States  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
Second  edition  with  some  alterations  and 
considerable  additions.  12mo.  pp.  300. 
$2  00.  Philadelphia,  1856. 

SEYBERT,  ADAM.  Statistical  Annals  ;  em- 
bracing views  of  the  population,  com- 
merce, navigation,  fisheries,  public  lands, 
post  offices,  revenues,  mint,  military  and 
naval  establishments,  &c,  &c,  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  Founded  on 
official  documents.  4to.  pp.  803.  Pub. 
at  |15  00— $3  00.  Phila.,  1818 

TALBOT,  MARY  ANN.    The  Life  and  sur- 
prising Adventures  of.    In  the  name  of 
John  Taylor.    A  natural  daughter  of  the 
late  Earl  Talbot  ;  giving  a  true  account 
of  her  singular  adventures,  the  many 
hardships  she  endured  in  a  variety  of 
characters  for  a  number  of  years,  both 
in  the  land  and  sea  services.  Related 
by  herself.    12mo.  pp.  60.   $3  00.  Por- 
trait. London,  N.  1). 
This  Amazon  in  her  excursions  appears  to 
have  visited  both  Rhode  Island  and  New  Yoik. 
In  the  former  place  a  young  lady  fill  in  love 
with  her  and  would  become  her  or  his  wife  at  all 
hazard*. 

TAYLOR,  JAMES  B.  Lives  of  Virginia 
Baptist  Ministers.  12mo.  pp.  492. 
*1  50.  Richmond,  1838. 

This  book  may  be  styled  the  Virginia  Baptist 
Biographical  Dictionary.  It  contains  not  less 
than  lis  biographies  of  the  ministers  of  that 
denomination. 

TAYLOR,  JOHN.  Tyrannv  Unma.sked.  Svo, 
pp.  349.    $2  50.       Washington,  1822. 

THER.MOMETRICAL  NAVIGATION.  Be- 
ing a  series  of  Experiments  and  Ob- 
servations, tending  to  prove,  that  by  as- 
certaining the  Relative  Heat  of  the  Sea 
Water  from  time  to  time,  the  passage  of 
a  ship  through  the  Gulf  Stieam,  and 
from  deep  water  into  soundings,  may  be 
discovered  in  time  to  avoid  danger,  al- 
though (owing  to  tempestuous  weather,) 
it  may  M  imjiossible  to  heave  the  lead 
or  observe  the  heavenly  bodies.  Ex- 
tracted from  the  American  Philosophi- 
cal Transactions.  Vol.  2  and  3,  with 
additions  and  Improvements.  8vo.  pr. 
pp.  113.  (with  map.)    $2  00. 

Philadelphia,  1799. 

THOMAS  MOORE,  ESQ.  An  attempt  to 
vindicate  the  American  Character,  being 
principally  a  reply  to  the  intemperate  an- 
imadversions of  Thomas  Moore,  Esq.,  the 
Irish  Poet.    8vo.  pp.  43.    $1  25. 

Philadelphia,  1806. 


OF  AMERICAN  BOOKS. 


17 


THOMAS,  ISAIAH.  The  History  of  Print- 
ing in  America ;  with  a  biography  of 
Printers  and  an  account  of  newspapers. 
To  which  is  prefixed  a  concise  view  of 
the  discovery  and  progress  of  the  art  in 
other  parts  of  the  world.  2  vols.  8vo. 
pp.  487  and  576.  A  hoMltlfrtl,  clean, 
perfect  and  very  desirable  copy.  Half 
bound  and  cornered  in  calf.    $20  00. 

Another  copy.    2  vols.    8vo.  Sheep. 
$15  00.  Worcester,  1810. 

THOMAS,  GABRIEL.  An  Historical  and 
Geographical  Account  of  the  Province 
and  Country  of  Pennsylvania  and  of 
West  New  Jersey,  in  America  ;  the  rich- 
ness of  the  soil,  the  sweetness  of  the 
situation,  the  wholesomeness  of  the  air, 
the  navigable  rivers  and  others,  the  pro- 
digious increase  of  corn,  &c,  &c.  12mo. 
pp.  100.  $1  50.  Reprint,  New  York, 
1^-1-.  London,  1698. 

THOMPSON,  CHARLES.  The  Holy  Bible 
containing  the  Old  and  New  Covenant, 
commonly  called  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
tament, translated  from  the  Greek.  4 
vols.  8vo.    Sheep  binding.    $12  00. 

Philadelphia,  1808. 

Copies  of  this  remarkable  version  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  are  now  become  very  scarce.  The 
valuable  translator  was  secretary  to  the  Ameri- 
can  Congress  from  1774  to  1789,  and  died  Au- 
gust 16,  1824. 

TRAIN,  GKORGE  FRANCIS.  Young  Ame- 
rica in  Wall  Street.  12mo.  pp.  40G. 
$1  25.  New  York,  1857. 

TRIBUNE  CLUB.  The.  Proceedings  of 
1855.  Presentation — Anniversary — Din- 
ner. Contains  a  long'poem  by  Mr.  Ot- 
terson.    8vo.    pp.  32.    50  cts. 

New  York,  1855. 

UNITED  STATES.  A  Summary  Review  of 
the  Laws  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  the  British  Provinces  and  the 
West  Indias,  with  observations,  prece- 
dents &c.  By  a  barrister  of  the  State 
of  Virginia.    8vo.    pp.  103.    $1  25. 

Edinburgh,  1788. 

YON  STAKHLIN,  J.  An  Account  of  the 
New  Northern  Archipelago,  lately  discov- 
ered by  the  Russians  in  the  seas  of  Kamt- 
schatka  and  Anadir,  translated  from  the 
German  Original,  with  a  colored  Map. 
8vo.    Old  calf.    pp.  138.    $1  00. 

London,  1774. 

WALL  STREET,  or,  Ten  Minutes  before 
Three,  a  Farce  in  three  parts.  ISmo. 
pp.  34,  and  other  pamphlets.    $1  50. 

New  York,  1818. 

WALL  STREET.  Stocks  and  Stock  Jobbing 
in  Wall  Street,  with  Sketches  of  the  bro- 
kers and  fancy  stocks.  Bv  a  Reformed 
Stock  Gambler.   8vo.  pp.  40.    $2  00. 

New  York,  1848. 

WAR,  A  Complete  History  of,  From  the 
Annual  Register,  ot  its  Rise,  Progress  and 
Events  in  Europe,  Asia,  Africa  and  Ame- 


rica. Exhibiting  the  state  of  the  Belli- 
gerent Powers  at  the  commencement  of 
the  war  ;  their  interests  and  objects  in  its 
continuance  ;  interspersed  with  thechar- 
aeters  of  the  able  and  disinterested  States- 
men, to  whose  wisdom  and  integrity, 
and  of  the  Heroes,  to  whose  courage  and 
couduct,  we  are  indebted  for  that  na- 
val and  military  success,  which  is  not 
to  be  equalled  in  the  Annals  of  this  or 
any  other  nation.  8vo.  pp.  627.  Plates 
on  a  fine  view  of  the  town  and  fortifica- 
tion of  Montreal,  in  Canada.    $3  00. 

Dublin,  1774 

WASHINGTON,  GEORGE.  Diary  of;  from 
the  first  day  of  October  1789,  to  the 
tenth  day  of  March,  1790,  from  the 
original  manuscript,  now  first  printed. 
8vo.  pp.  89  Uncut.  $5  00.  Only  100 
copies  printed.  New  York,  1858. 

WASHINGTON,  GEORGE,  Life  of,  by  John 
Marshall  (Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States,  5  vols.  4to.  Portrait  and  Mili- 
tary Plans.    $20  00.        London,  1804. 

The  Same  Work.  5  vols.  6vo.  bds. 
uncut.    A  very  fine  copy.    $13  00. 

London,  1804. 

WEBSTER,  M.  H.  A  catalogue  of  the  mine- 
rals which  have  been  discovered  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  arranged  under  the 
heads  of  the  respective  counties  and 
towns  in  which  they  are  found.  18mo. 
pp.  32.    $1  00.  Albany,  1824. 

WEBSTER,  NOAH.  Effects  of  Slavery  on 
Morals  and  Industry.    8vo.  pp.56.  $1. 

Hartford,  1793. 
WEBSTER,  NOAH.  A  Compendious  Dic- 
tionary of  the  English  Language.  In 
which  five  thousand  words  are  added  to 
the  number  found  in  the  best  English 
compends  ;  the  orthography  is,  in  some 
instances  corrected  ;  the  pronunciation 
marked  by  an  accent  or  other  suitable 
direction  ;  and  the  definitions  of  many 
words  amended  and  improved  :  to  which 
are  added  for  the  benefit  of  the  merchant, 
the  student  and  the  traveller.  12mo. 
pp.  431.    $5  00.  Hartford,  1806. 

This  is  the  nucleus  of  the  now  famous  Wtb- 
ster  Dictionary.  It  has  become  very  rare.  This 
copy  is  in  fine,  clean  and  perfect  condition. 
WHITEFIELD,  GEORGE.  A  Journal  of  a 
Voyage  from  Gibralter  to  Georgia,  con- 
taining many  curious  observations  and 
edifying  reflections,  on  the  several  oc- 
currences that  happened  in  the  voyage, 
pp.  34.  London,  1738. 

To  which  is  added  a  journal  of  a  voy- 
age from  London  to  Savannah,  in  Geor- 
gia. In  tnro  parts.  Part  I.  from  London 
to  Gibralter.  Part  II.  from  Gibralter  to 
Savannah.  By  George  Whitefield.  pp. 
58.  London,  1738. 

Also  remarks  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  White- 
field's  Journal,  wherein  his  many  incon- 


IS 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


sistencies  are  pointed  out,  and  his  tenets 
considered,    pp.  32.        London,  N.  D. 

Twell,  on  the  Demoniacs  of  the  New- 
Testament,  proving  that  they  were  fallen 
angels  Peculiar  Thoughts  in  the  Man- 
ner of  Mons.  Pascal,  with  divers  other 
curious  pamphlets.    8vo.  calf.    $3  50. 

London,  V.  D. 

WHITTLESEY,  CHARLES.  Fugitive  Es- 
says upon  interesting  and  useful  sub- 
jects, relating  to  the  early  history  of  Ohio, 
its  geology  and  agriculture,  with  a  bio- 
graphy of  the  first  successful  constructor 
of  steam  ;  a  dissertation  upon  the  an- 
tiquity of  the  material  universe,  &c,  &c. 
12mo.  pp.  397.    $1  25. 

Hudson,  Ohio,  1852. 

WILLIAMS,  ROGER.  A  Key  into  the  Lan- 
guage of  America,  or  an  help  to  the 
language  of  the  natives  in  that  part  of 
America  called  New  England  ;  together 
with  briefe  observations  of  the  cus- 
tomes,  manners,  and  worships,  &c,  of 
the  aforesaid  natives  in, peace  and  warre, 
in  life  and  death.  On  all  which  are  ad- 
ded, spiritual  observations  generall  and 
particular,  by  the  author,  of  chiefe 
and  speciall  use  (upon  all  occasions)  to 
all  the  English  inhabiting  those  parts  ; 
yet  pleasant  and  prolitable  to  the  view 
of  all  men.  8vo.  pp.  165.  uncut  $5  00. 
London,  If 43.  reprint.  Providence,  1827. 

WILLIAMSON,  PASSMORE  Case  of.  Re- 
port of  the  proceedings  on  the  writ  of 
Habeas  Corpus,  issued  by  Hon.  John  K. 
Kane,  in  the  case  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  ex  rel.  John  U.  Wheeler  vs. 
Passmore  Williamson,  including  several 
opinions  delivered,  &c.  8vo.  pp.  191. 
$2  00.  Philadelphia,  1856. 

WILSON,  ALEXANDER,  American  Orni- 
thology, or  the  Natural  History  of  the 
Birds  of  the  U.  S.,  illustrated  with  plates 
engraved  and  colored  from  original  draw- 
ings taken  from  Nature.  Vols.  2,  3,  4, 
5,  6,  7,  and  9.  6  vols,  folio,  with  48 
plates.     Original  edition.    $25  00. 

Philadelphia,  1810-14. 

WILSON,  JAMES.  An  Introductory  Lec- 
ture to  a  Course  of  Law  Lectures.  To 
which  is  added  a  plan  of  the  Lectures. 
8vo.    pr.   pp.  96.    $1  00. 

Philadelphia,  1791. 

WISCONSIN.  First  Annual  Report  and  col- 
lections of  the  State  Historical  Society, 
of.  For  the  year  1854.  8vo.  pp.  16*0, 
$1  25.  Madison,  1855. 


|  WISE,  JOHN.  A  vindication  of  the  Gov- 
ernment of  New  England  Churches. 
Drawn  from  antiquity,  tliH  light  of  na- 
ture, Holy  Scripture,  its  noble  nature, 
and  from  the  dignity  Divine  Providence 
has  put  upon  it.    12mo     $3  00 

Boston,  1772. 

WOLLEY,  EDWARD,  D.  D.  Loyalty  among 
Rebels;  the  True  Royalist,  or  Hushay 
the  Archite,  a  happy  counsellor  in  King 
David's  greatest  danger.  To  which  is 
added  a  parallel  between  Charles  II., 
King  of  England,  and  Lewis  the  IV.,  the 
French  King.    18mo.   pp.  ISO.    $5  50. 

London,  1662. 

WOOLEY,  CHARLES.  A  Two  Years  Jour- 
nal in  New  York  ;  and  parts  of  its  Terri- 
tories in  America.  By  C.  W.  lSmo. 
pp.  104.    $63  00.  London,  1701. 

"This  is  one  of  the  very  scarcest  books  icritten 
in  and  relating  to  New  York  in  colonial  times. 
It  was  produced  by  the  author  while  a  resident 
on  the  Island  of  Manhattan,  in  the  capacity  of 
a  chaplain  to  the  troops  then  occupying  the  fort 
situated  on  the  extreme  southern  point  (f  the 
Island,  knownnow  as  the  Battery.  I  have  heard 
of  no  copy  being  in  the  possession  of  any  of  the 
veteran  collectors  of  rare  American  books  on 
this  continent,  with  the  exception  of  one  in  the 
extensive  collection  of  John  Carter  liroicn,  Esq., 
(f  Providence,  Rhode  Island." 

WOOLEY,  CHARLES.  A  Two  years  Jour- 
nal in  New  York  ;  and  parts  of  its  Terri- 
tories in  America.  A  new  edition  with 
copious  historical  aud  biographical  notes 
by  E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  M.  D.  8vo.  cloth 
to  match  Denton's  New  Netherlands. 
$2  00.  New  York,  1860. 

WOOLEY,  CHARLES.  The  same  as  above, 
large  paper.  4to.  cloth.  Only  a  few 
printed.    $5  00.  New  York,  1860. 

WRKiHT,  FRANCES.  (Mad.  D'Arusmont.) 
Biography,  notes  and  political  letters  of 
Frances  Wright  D'JlmsmoiM.  From  the 
first  British  Edition.  12tno.  pp.  48. 

New  York,  1844. 
Published  by  John  Windt. 

ZANGER,  JOHN  PETER.  A  brief  narrative 
of  the  Case  and  Trial  of  John  P.  Zanger, 
Printer  of  the  New  York  Weekly  Jour- 
nal for  a  Libel.  4to.  pp.  53.  Uncut. 
$2  00.  New  York,  1770. 

ZARATE,  D'AUGUSTIN  DE.  Histoire  de  la 
De  Couverte  et  de  la  conquete  du  Perou, 
illustrated  with  map  and  plates.  2  vols. 
12mo.  calf.    pp.  398,  482.    $5  00. 

Paris,  1742. 


X 


OP  AMERICAN  BOOKS. 


=1 

19 


AMERICAN  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

ALIBONE,  S.  AUSTIN.  A  Critical  Dictionary  of  English  Literature,  and  British  and 
American  Authors,  Living  and  Dtccastd,  from  the  earliest  account  to  tho  middle  of  the 
Nineteenth  Century.  Containing  Thirty  Thousand  Biographies  and  Literary  Notices, 
with  Forty  Indexes  of  Subjects.    2  vols.    Royal  8vo.    Pages  about  2000.  $10. 

Philadelphia,  1859-GO. 

BURCH,  SAMUEL.  General  Index  to  tho  Laws  of  the  United  States  of  America,  from 
March  4tli,  17^9  to  March  3d,  1827.  Including  all  Treaties  entered  into  between  those 
periods.    8vo.    pp.331.    $2  00.  Washington,  1828. 

CHARACTER  of  Law  Books  and  Judges  With  Remarks  on  the  Utility  of  Collecting.  8vo. 
pp.  66.    See  The  American  Jurist,  July,  1834.  Boston,  1334. 

DECANVER,  H.  C.  Pseud.  Catalogue  of  Works  in  Refutation  of  Methodism,  from  its 
origin  in  1729,  to  the  present  time ;  of  those  by  Methodist  authors  on  lay  representa- 
tion, Methodist  episcopacy,  etc.,  etc.,  and  of  tlie  political  pamphlets  relating  to  Wes- 
ley's "Calm  Address  to  the  American  Colonies:"    (C.  H.  Cavender).    8vo.    pp.  54. 

Philadelphia,  1846. 

DICK1NS'  ASBURY.  A  Synoptical  Index  to  the  Laws  and  Treaties  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  from  March  4,  1789,  to  March  3,  1851.  With  references  to  the  Edition  of 
the  Laws  Published  by  Bioren  and  Duane,  and  of  the  Statutes  at  Large,  Published  by 
Little  and  Brown,  under  the  Authority  of  Congress.    Royal  8vo.    pp.  747.    $5  00. 

Boston,  1856. 

GENERAL  INDEX  To  the  Laws  of  the  State  of  New  York,  from  1777  to  1850.  8vo. 
pp.  665.    $2  00.    Law  binding.  New  York,  1850. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  American  bibliographical  Biography.  Being  a  Catalogue  of  all 
the  Books  written  by  America"  Authors,  or  those  who  have  resided  in  America,  with 
their  size,  number  of  pages,  if  illustrated  by  engravings  or  maps,  when  and  where 
printed  ;  with  a  short  biographical  sketch  of  each  author.  6  vol.  4to.  ( In  manu- 
script.) New  York,  N.  D. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  all  the  books  known  to  have  been  written  on  Pas- 
toial  Care  and  Ministerial  Duties.    12mo.    (In  manuscript.)  New  York. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  Books  on  Freemasonry  and  Kindred  Subjects.  12mo. 
pp.  59.    $1  25.  New  York,  1858. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  all  the  books  known  to  have  been  written  on  the 
History,  Culture,  Use,  Abuse  and  Influence  of  Tobacco,  from  its  discovery,  by  Euro- 
peans, to  the  present  time.    12mo.    (In  manuscript.)  New  York,  N.  D. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  all  the  books  known  to  have  been  written  on  tho 
Theory  and  Practice  of  Dancing.    (In  manuscript.)  New  York,  N.  D. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  Books  of  Proverbs,  Sayings,  Maxims,  Apophthegms, 
Adages  and  Similitudes.    By  Ancients,  Intermediates  and  Moderns.    12mo.      pp.  16. 

New  York,  1853. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  all  the  Books  by  various  authors  on  the  subject 
of  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul.    12mo.    pp.  22.  New  York,  1853. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.    A  Catalogue  of  the  Scottish  Poets  and  Poetry.    12mo.  pp.24. 

New  York,  1852. 

GOWANS,  WILLIAM.  A  Catalogue  of  Books  on  the  Evidence  of  Revealed  Religion.  By 
the  most  Eminent  Authors.    12mo.    pp.  30.  New  York,  1853. 

GUILD,  REUBEN  A.  The  Librarian's  Manual  ;  A  Treatise  on  Bibliography,  comprising  a 
select  and  descriptive  list  of  Bibliographical  Works  ;  to  which  are  added  Sketches  of 
Public  Libraries,  Illustrated  with  Engravings.  4to.  pp.  314.    $5.       New  York,  1858. 

IIAYNES,  THOMAS  WILSON.  Baptist  Cyclopaedia;  or  Dictionary  of  Baptist  Biography, 
Bibliography,  Antiquities,  History,  Chronology,  Theology,  Poetry  and  Literature  ;  to 
which  is  added  a  list  of  the  Baptist  Churches  in  England  and  America.  3  Portraits. 
Royal  Svo.    pp.  323.    vol.  I  all  published.    $1  50.  Charleston,  S.  C,  1848. 

JEWETT,  CHARLES  C.  Notices  of  Public  Libraries  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
Being  an  Appendix  to  the  Fourth  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution.    8vo.    pp.  207. 

Washington,  1851. 

LA  ROCHE,  R.,  M.  D     Bibliography  of  Yellow  Fever.  8vo.  pp.60.    Philadelphia,  1855. 

This  bibliography  teas  prepared  as  a  pendant  to  the  author's  celebrated  treatise  on  Yellow  Fever- 
He  had  intended  to  have  had  a  small  edition  printed  separately  at  the  same  time  that  the  treat  it* 
was  printed,  but  unfortunately,  before  he  had  informed  the  printer  of  his  intentions,  the  type  had 
gone  into  pi,  thereby  verifying  the  old  adage  "  for  want  of  a  nail,  the  horse  was  lost." 
LIST  OF  MAPS  and  Memoirs  on  the  Geology  of  North  America,  forming  part  of  Jules 
Marcou'a  Geology  of  North  America.    4to.    pp.  22.  Zurich,  1858. 


20 


GOWANS'  CATALOGUE 


LUDEWIG,  HERMANN  E.  The  Literature  of  American  Local  History  ;  a  Bibliographical 
Essay.  8vo.  pp.  180.  $6  00. 
This  book  possesses  very  considerable  merit,  as  veil  for  its  accuracy  as  for  its  iyitrinsic  worth  as 
an  Index  to  American  Local  History.  The  diligent  and  conscientious  author  copied  every  title 
from  the  respective  books  themselves,  and  not  from  catalogues,  as  is  too  frequently  the  case  in 
making  such  compilation,  except  in  a  few  cases  where  he  had  titles  sent  to  him  by  his  book-loving 
friends  throughout  the  states,  whose  accuracy  and  taste  he  could  depend  upon.  It  is  the  first  and 
so  far  the  only  bibliography  of  the  kind,  relating  to  this  subject.  It  was  privately  printed,  and 
immediately  on  its  appearance,  distributed  by  its  generous  author  among  his  friends  in  America 
and  Europe. 

He  had  contemplated  a  second  and  enlarged  edition,  and,  indeed,  had  made  considerable  progress 
in  collecting  material  for  that  purpose,  when,  alas,  alas,  the  grim  messenger  put  a  sudden  stop  to 
his  noble  enterprise,  an  event,  the  knowledge  of  which,  filled  every  one  who  had  the  happiness  to 
know  him,  with  deep  regret  at  losing  such  a  valuable  member  of  society. — Western  Memorabilia. 
LUDEWIG,  HERMANN  E.  The  Literature  of  American  Aboriginal  Languages,  with  Ad- 
ditions and  Corrections  by  William  W.  Turner.  Edited  by  Nicholas  Trubner.  8vo. 
pp.  283.    $3  00.  Loudon,  1858. 

MARVIN  J.  G.  Legal  Bibliography  ;  or  a  Thesaurus  of  American,  English,  Irish  and 
Scotch  law  books,  together  with  some  continental  treatises  ;  interspersed  with  some 
critical  observations  upon  their  various  editions  and  authority.  To  which  is  added  a 
copious  list  of  abbreviations.    8vo.    pp.  600.    $6  50.  Philadelphia,  1847. 

NEW  YORK  STATE  LIBRARY.    Catalogue  of  the  Books  on  Bibliography  and  Engrav- 
ings in  the  New  York  State  Library.    Svo.    pp.  143.  Albanv,  1858. 
NORTON,  CHARLES  B.    Literary  Register,  or  Annual  Book  List  for  1856.  A  Catalogue  of 
Books,  including  New  Editions  and  Reprints  published  in  the  United  States, during  the 
yaar  1855.  Containing  Titles,  Number  of  Pages,  Prices  and  Name  of  Publishers,  with 
an  Index  of  the  Subjects.    Svo.    pp.  138.                                     New  York,  1856. 
This  was  originally  intended  to  be  an  annual  publicatiom 
O'CALLAGHAN,  E.  B.    A  list  of  various  editions  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  parts  thereof, 
printed  in  the  United  States  previous  to  1860:  to  which  is  appended  a  list  of  the 
earlier  American  editions  of  the  Psalms  in  Metre,  with  an  introduction  and  biblio- 
graphical notes,  by  E.  B.  O'Callaghan.    Royal  Svo.  Albany,  1860. 
POOLE,  WILLIAM  FRED.    An  Index  to  Periodical  Literature.  Royal  Svo.  pp.533.  $2  50. 
Published  at    $7  00.                                                                  New  York,  1853. 
The  above  is  a  very  full  and  carefully  prepared  index  of  all  the  suljects  treated  of  in  not  less 
than  seventy-three  of  the  most  popular  periodicals  published  during  the  present  century,  in  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States  of  North  America.    It  will  be  found  to  be  an  immense  labor- 
saving  machine  to  any  person  having  cause  to  investigate  these  store-houses  of  intellectual  riches; 
the  product  of  the  most  gifted  minds  that  have  appeared  on  the  stage  of  human  action  and  mental 
effort,  during  the  last  sixty  years. 

PRINCE,  BENJAMIN.    A  Catalogue  of  Works  Relating  to  Sound,  Arranged  Chronologi- 
cally under  each  subject.    8vo.    pp.  56.  Boston,  1836. 
Tint  bibliograhy  is  made  a  pendant  to  the  author's  treatise  on  sound,  never  having  appeared 
otherwise. 

PURPLE,  SAMUEL,  M.  D.  Bibliotheca  Medica.  A  Bibliographical  Account  of  the  Medi- 
cal Periodical  Literature  of  the  United  States.  8vo.  (In  manuscript  )    New  York,  1860. 

RHEES,  WILLIAM  I.  Manual  of  Public  Libraries,  Institutions  and  Societies  in  the  United 
States,  ami  British  Provinces  of  North  America.    8vo.    pp.  715.  ✓  $4.      Phila.,  1859. 

REES,  JAMES.    The  Dramatic  Authors  of  America.    12mo.    pp.144.    $1.    Pliila.,  1845. 

ROORHACH,  O.  A.  Bibliotheca  Americana.  Catalogue  of  American  Publications,  includ- 
ing Reprints  and  original  Works  from  1S20  to  1852,  inclusive,  together  with  a  list  of 
Periodicals  Published  in  the  United  States.    Svo.    pp.  673.    $5.       New  York,  1852. 

ROORBACH,  O.  A.  Supplement  to  the  Bibliotheca  Americana.  A  Catalogue  of  American 
Publications,  Reprints  and  Original  Works,  from  October,  1852,  to  May,  1855.  In- 
cluding, also,  a  repetition  of  such  books  as  have  either  changed  prices  or  publishers 
during  that  period.    Svo.    pp.  227.    S3  00.  New  York,  1855. 

SHEA,  JOHN  G1LMARY.  A  Bibliographical  Account  of  Catholic  Bibles,  Testaments  and 
other  portions  of  the  Scriptures,  Translated  from  the  Latin  Vulgate,  and  printed  in 
the  United  States.    12mo.    pp.  48.    $1  25.  New  York,  1859. 

The  first  bibliography  of  the  kind  published  in  the  United  States  of  North  America. 

WILLKS,  WILLIAM.  A  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Books  and  Pamphlets  Relating  to  the 
State  of  Maine,  or  ]>ortions  of  it.    pp.  20.    Small  4to.  New  York,  1859. 

C.  B.  Norton  intends  to  publish,  in  future  Nos.  of  his  Literary  Letter,  the  Bibliography  of 

each  separate  State. 


